Abstract
Self-perception of body image is one factor to be considered when planning and performing preventive initiatives and interventions in childhood and adolescence. The aim of this study was to analyse self-perception of body image in relation to body-mass index, physical inactivity, not eating breakfast, dieting, smoking and alcohol consumption or toxic habits. Materials and Methods: using data from the “Quito municipal schools” cohort study 6964 students aged from 9 to 17 years were described using a multivariate log linear model of the multidimensional table generated by the variables. A logistic regression model was then fitted to assess associations via OR. Results: 8.2% perceived themselves as overweight. Of those subjects overweight according to their BMI, 21.8% perceived themselves as such, while among those not overweight according to BMI, 96.8% considered themselves as slim or of normal weight. Among students who were dieting, 15.1% perceived themselves as overweight. Among those pupils who perceived themselves has having excess weight, the most common reasons for dieting were: lose weight (56.8%), be healthier (22.6%), and maintain current weight (8.4%). Self-perception of excess weight interacts with excess weight (ORadjusted 8.42; CI95% 6.92-10.25), no breakfast (ORadjusted 2.83; CI95% 2.13-3.77), diet (ORadjusted 2.38; CI95% 1.95-2.89), and with all the variables except toxic habits (ORadjusted 1.01; CI95% 0.78 a 1.29). Conclusion: Interventions to prevent obesity in childhood and adolescence ought to take account of specific determinants within the personal, behavioural and socio-environmental factors, such as the promotion of a positive body image.
Highlights
Several systematic reviews have highlighted the serious problem of overweight and obesity in children and young people, based on prevalence estimates, which for most countries lie between 20% and 30% [1]
In the context of the “Quito Municipal schools cohort study” we proposed to analyse self-perception of body image in relation to body mass index, as well as other factors such as sedentarism, not breakfasting, dieting, smoking and alcohol consumption, in order to try to understand better the behaviour of intervening factors regarding the prevalence found for self-perception of excess weight
Of the 6450 pupils who answered the questions about smoking and/or alcohol consumption, 3521 (54.6%) were classified as having toxic habits, 2884/4982 (57.9%) did not engage in any physical activity, and 536 pupils of the 6545 (8.2%) who answered the question on self-perception of body image self-perceived themselves as having excess weight
Summary
Several systematic reviews have highlighted the serious problem of overweight and obesity in children and young people, based on prevalence estimates, which for most countries lie between 20% and 30% [1]. In Latin America, the prevalence of overweight or obesity estimated for the population aged 0 to 19 years is between 20% and 25%; roughly speaking, this translates into several tens of millions of affected children and adolescents [2]. Preventive measures for overweight in childhood and adolescence are issues that directly involve health authorities, those responsible for the health and education of children and adolescents, caregivers of primary care, and parents, not to mention the children themselves [3]. As with any chronic health problem it is very difficult to take preventive measures without knowing how it is perceived by those most affected, in this case children and adolescents. The study entitled “Quito municipal schools cohort study: Baseline results” investigating 6964 pupils between their sixth and tenth year of basic education during the 2010-2011 academic year, reported that 18.7% (CI95% 17.8 - 19.6) were overweight, and 7.9% (CI95% 7.6 - 8.2) were obese (excess weight: 26.6%) (Natalia Romero-Sandoval et al, 2012) [4]
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