Religion, weight perception, and weight control behavior

Abstract

Religion's relationships with weight perception and weight control behavior were examined using data (3032 adults aged 25–74) from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Religion was conceptualized as denomination, religious attendance/practice, religious social support, religious commitment, religious application, and religious identity. Weight perception was conceptualized as underestimating body weight, overestimating body weight, and accurately assessing body weight. Respondents also reported whether they had engaged in any intentional weight loss (yes/no) in the last 12 months. Logistic regression was used, with significant results being set at a p-values of < .01 and < .05. Accurately assessing body weight was the reference category for all weight perception analyses. Women with greater religious commitment and men with greater religious application had greater odds of underestimating their body weight. This relationship remained significant, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, education, and income. Jewish women had greater odds of overestimating their body weight. There were no relationships between religion and weight control behavior. Relationships between religion, weight perception, and weight control behavior illustrate religion's multidimensionality.