OBJECTIVE: To study the perception of body image that older people have of themselves with aging through a literature review. METHODS: We performed a literature search using electronic databases and the following descriptors: aged, aging, aging, body image, body self-image, and self-esteem. The study period included the previous 10 years. RESULTS: Aging is characterized by slow progressive degeneration of factors throughout the body. Such changes are troublesome to the majority of the elderly, and research shows that body image dissatisfaction is common among the elderly. In the literature, work on this subject is most prevalent in the fields of nursing, physical education, nutrition, and geriatrics, and there are numerous published studies on the elderly. This can be explained by the fact that women account for the majority of the elderly population and that the public is more interested in female body image issues in all phases of development. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the majority of elderly people are not satisfied with body image. Functional aspects of the body are the main complaint of the elderly regarding body dissatisfaction. Thus, as health professionals, we must act considering minimization of these complaints related to aging to improve the quality of life of the population and, consequently, reduce body dissatisfaction.
