Abstract
Weight misperception precludes effective management of pre-obesity and obesity, but little is known regarding its status in the Swiss population. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of weight over- and underestimation in an adult urban Swiss population. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2012 in the city of Lausanne. Height and weight were measured using standardised procedures. Weight perception and other socio-demographic variables were collected through questionnaires. Data from 4284 participants (2261 women, 57.5 ± 10.4 years) were analysed. Overall, almost one-fifth (18%) of participants underestimated their weight, while only 7% overestimated it. One quarter of women and half of men with overweight underestimated their weight; the corresponding values for obese subjects were 7% and 10%. Multivariate analysis showed male gender (odds ratio [OR] 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.54-3.76), increasing age or body mass index (p-value for trend <0.001), being born in Portugal (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.42-3.10), low education (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.47-2.47), and absence of diagnosis of pre-obesity or obesity by the doctor (OR 5.61, 95% CI 4.51-7.00) to be associated with weight underestimation. Overestimation was significantly higher in women (19.6%) than in men (8.5%). Weight overestimation was negatively associated with male gender (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22-0.39), increasing age (p-value for trend <0.001), being born in Portugal (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.87) and positively associated with absence of diagnosis (OR 3.11, 95% CI 2.23-4.34). Almost one quarter of the Swiss population aged 40 to 80 has weight misperception, underestimation being over twice as frequent as overestimation. Adequate diagnosis of overweight or obesity might be the best deterrent against weight misperception.
Highlights
Prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity is increasing worldwide [1, 2]
As only 1.3% of the sample presented with underweight (BMI
Bivariate analysis showed that male gender, older age, being overweight, living as a couple, low educational level and being born outside Switzerland were associated with higher rates of weight underestimation and with lower rates of weight overestimation
Summary
Prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity is increasing worldwide [1, 2]. Several studies have suggested that weight perception is a stronger determinant in motivation to lose weight than objectively measured body mass index (BMI) [3, 4]. In 2012, one out of six Swiss adults was found to be obese (18% men, 16% women) and two out of five are pre-obese (48% men, 31% women), these figures might be even higher [14,15,16]. Assessing the prevalence of weight misperception in the Swiss population is important, as a high misperception rate (i.e. underestimation) will probably reduce the effectiveness of public health policies to prevent pre-obesity and obesity [3, 4]. One study has assessed weight misperception among Swiss adolescents [15] and no data are available regarding the adult population. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence and the determinants of weight misperception (over- and underestimation) in an adult, population-based sample collected in Switzerland
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