The Relationships of Body Weight Perceptions with Energy Balance among College Freshmen

Abstract

An individual's perception and acceptance of body image develops early in life, and may be related to attempts to lose or maintain weight beginning in adolescence and early adulthood. PURPOSE: To examine how body weight perceptions relate to energy balance regulation achieved through diet and physical activity (PA) among a sample of freshmen university students. METHODS: A quasi-randomized sample of freshmen (N=103; males=59; females=44) from a university population agreed to assess energy expenditure (7-day PA recall) and intake (7 24-hour food diaries) for 1 week. The dependent variable for this study was a continuous measure of energy balance (positive or negative Kcal/d) based on food diaries and PA recall. Participants answered 3 questions related to perceptions of body weight and image: self-perception of weight (overweight, right weight, underweight), desired weight (lose weight, stay the same, or gain weight) and current weight control status (trying to lose weight, stay the same, or gain weight). Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: 46.6% (N=48) of freshmen reported currently 'trying to lose weight'. The majority (68.7%) of freshmen matched their 'desired' weight goals with weight control behaviors. Significant differences of energy balance were found in all three body weight perception questions. Negative energy balance was found among freshman who perceived themselves to be overweight (−839 kcal), would like to weigh less (−727 kcal), and were trying to lose weight (−575 kcal). Positive energy balance was found among those who thought they were underweight (384 kcal), wanted to gain weight (352 kcal), and were trying to gain weight (304 kcal). Equal energy balance was found for those comfortable with their weight and who were trying to stay the same weight. In multiple regression, after controlling for all covariates, only 'self-perception of weight' (Beta: −674.0; p = 0.0433) was significantly related to energy balance (Overall Model: F6,80=5.05, p < 0.0002; Adjusted R2=0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Among freshmen, energy balance is closely related to self-perceptions of body weight. Self-awareness activities focusing on body weight and image might be an important component of weight management interventions focusing on energy balance.