Abstract
This study aims to examine associations between body weight misperception and eating behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Students (N = 2641) from a middle school and a high school in Wuhan, China participated in a cross-sectional study in May 2016. A questionnaire based on the World Health Organization’s Global School-Based Student Health Survey was employed to assess responses. Self-reported data, including weight, height, body weight perception, and eating habits, were collected. Body Mass Index (BMI) for age z-score was calculated from self-reported height and weight using WHO AnthroPlus. We used descriptive, logistic regression analysis and a Kappa test to analyze the data using SPSS. Overall, 56.6% of participants did not correctly categorize their weight status; these were much more likely to be girls. Compared with the correctly-perceived group, those who underestimated their weight tended to report eating late at night, having dinners with family, and checking nutrition labels. In contrast, weight overestimating students were less likely to report eating late at night, having breakfasts with family, having dinners with family, and discussing nutrition topics over meals. Body weight misperception was associated with unhealthy eating behaviors among Chinese adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescence is a critical period of both physical and mental development when lifestyle behaviors are cultivated
All adolescents (N = 3059) enrolled in grades 7–12 were invited to participate in the study via a recruitment letter and consent form sent home to parents; written informed consent was obtained from a parent or guardian
Based on BAZ, about 80% of respondents were of normal weight status
Summary
Adolescence is a critical period of both physical and mental development when lifestyle behaviors are cultivated. As 16.8% of Chinese youth are overweight or obese, and overweight/obese adolescents are more likely to become obese adults [1], it is important to identify factors contributing to weight status in Chinese adolescents. Cultural beliefs and beauty ideals are changing, especially in China [2], and many young people are concerned about their body shape and size due to social pressures to conform to a thin ideal body [3,4,5,6,7]. Media representations may adversely affect self-perceptions of weight, thereby exacerbating the weight misperception [8]. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 936; doi:10.3390/ijerph15050936 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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