The relationship between distorted body image and lifestyle among Japanese adolescents: a population-based study.

Takako Shirasawa,Tadahiro Ohtsu,Hirotaka Ochiai,Naoko Tajima,Hinako Nanri,Rimei Nishimura,Hiromi Hoshino,Akatsuki Kokaze

doi:10.1186/s13690-015-0082-z

Abstract

BackgroundDistorted body image plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems, and eating disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distorted body image and lifestyle among Japanese adolescent boys and girls.MethodsSubjects were 1731 seventh graders (age 12–13 years) from the Ina-town’s junior high schools, Japan, from 2005–2009. The height and weight of each subject were measured. Childhood underweight, overweight, and obesity were defined using the body mass index cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Information regarding the self-perceived weight status and lifestyles (exercise, snacking after dinner, breakfast, wakeup time, bedtime) of each subject was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Self-perceived weight status was categorized into three groups (thin, normal, or heavy), and compared with the subjects’ actual weight status. Body image perception was categorized into the following three groups: an underestimated own weight status group (underestimated group), a correct own weight status group (correct group) and an overestimated own weight status group (overestimated group).ResultsThe proportion of boys in the underestimated group was higher than that of girls, while the opposite was true for the overestimated group (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in lifestyle between the underestimated group and the correct group regardless of sex. In contrast, there were statistically significant differences between the overestimated group and the correct group in the lifestyle factors of exercise among boys and snacking after dinner among girls. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) in boys who exercised daily significantly decreased (OR: 0.35, 95 % CI: 0.16–0.77), while a significantly increased OR was observed in girls who snacked after dinner (OR: 1.53, 95 % CI: 1.07–2.19).ConclusionAdolescent boys tended to underestimate their body weight, whereas adolescent girls were likely to overestimate their body weight. Furthermore, lifestyle factors associated with distorted body image differed by sex, with exercise affecting body image perception among boys and snacking after dinner affecting body image perception among girls. Thus, lifestyle may lead to distorted body image among adolescents.

Highlights

Distorted body image plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems, and eating disorders
The results suggested that the lifestyle of adolescents in the underestimated group was similar to that of adolescents in the correct group regardless of sex
The present study found that adolescent boys tended to underestimate their body weight, whereas adolescent girls were likely to overestimate their body weight

Summary

Introduction

Distorted body image plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems, and eating disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distorted body image and lifestyle among Japanese adolescent boys and girls. In Japan, Matsushita et al showed increasing trends in obesity prevalence in school children [2]. Inokuchi et al reported that the prevalence of thinness among Japanese adolescents has progressively increased [3, 4]. Body image plays a significant role in the development of obesity [7], eating problems, and eating disorders [8]. Some studies have reported that distorted body image was an important factor related to abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors among young people [9,10,11]. Body image is an important factor for healthy body weight

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