Self-perceived Body Research Articles

An Analysis Through to Congruence Between Real and Self-Perceived Body Mass Index in Nursing Students.

Overweight and obesity are growing concerns that also affect nursing staff, healthcare professionals that play a critical role in public health awareness and intervention. This study aimed to define the health parameters associated with body weight, analyze if there is an erroneous self-perception of overweight/obesity through the distortion of body weight perception, and determine the predictive factors of body weight distortion. A cross-sectional study of 224 nursing students gathered anthropometric and demographic data. Self-perceived body weight was assessed using Stunkard and Stellar's scale. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression identified significant predictors of weight distortion. The analysis found that men reported greater weight discrepancies than women. Specifically, 57% of the men (28 of 49 participants) underestimated their real BMI, while only 23% of the women (40 of 175 participants) did so. Age, sex, and weight classification emerged as significant explanatory variables for the distortion of body weight perception. The findings indicate a significant vulnerability among nursing students to the misperception of their own body weight status, highlighting the need for targeted training strategies. These strategies should focus on correcting misperceptions of obesity among health professionals throughout their working life to improve future obesity prevention efforts for society.

Differences between self-perceived and objectively measured body composition in HIV patients using InBody

Introduction: Body composition is a critical aspect of health, particularly for individuals living with HIV. This study investigates the differences between self-perceived body composition and objectively measured body composition using the InBody machine in HIV outpatients. Methods: A total of 383 HIV-infected outpatients receiving ARV treatment were invited to participate. Patients’ perceptions of their weight, muscle mass, fat mass, water, and mineral content were collected through face-to-face interviews. Subsequently, patients underwent body composition analysis using the InBody machine, and the data were classified into three groups according to each individual’s reference level. Results: Among the 383 patients, 77.5% were male, with the highest age group being 30–45 years, accounting for 56.1%. Nearly two thirds (66.3%) of the patients had been living with HIV for five years or more. The results revealed significant differences between patients’ perceptions and the objective measurements of body composition in 4 out of 5 indicators, except for fat mass. Conclusion: Self-perception of health is important as it influences decisions to seek medical services and other forms of assistance. The discrepancies between HIV patients’ perceptions of their body composition and objective measurements highlight the necessity of regular body composition assessments and improved patient education to enhance health outcomes. Keywords: Body composition, HIV, ARV, Inbody, outpatient

Lutas, artes marciais e esportes de combate sob o olhar etnográfico

In the field of human sciences, fighting, martial arts and combat sports have been the object of research, and are approached from diverse methodological approaches, including ethnography. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the academic productions on fighting, martial arts and combat sports developed in light of the ethnographic method. Based on an integrative review, 12 articles were selected which, after thematic analysis, allowed the construction of four categories: development of social relations in martial arts; body self-perception of martial arts practitioners; motivations for practicing martial arts; influence of ideological aspects on the practice of martial arts. The sportification of these practices has influenced their configurations, and their experience, based on different objectives, contributes to establishing peculiar dispositions in practitioners, who begin to assume certain perceptions of life and behaviors. From the above, it was possible to verify the importance of the ethnographic method for understanding the sociocultural aspects that involve bodily combat practices.

Affective experiences from school physical education in children and adolescents

Affective exercise experiences comprise a spectrum of memories, capturing both unpleasant and pleasant episodes. These can be assessed using the Affective Exercise Experience Questionnaire (AFFEXX, Ekkekakis et al., 2021), which examines three separate aspects: 1) antecedent cognitive appraisals (e.g., “incompetence vs. competence”), 2) core affective exercise experiences (e.g., “displeasure vs. pleasure”), and 3) the hedonistic motivation (“antipathy vs. attraction”) to engage in exercise. A German version, AFFEXX-PEG, designed to assess the affective exercise experiences from physical education (PE) in school-aged students, was used to investigate the correlations with PE school grades (as reported by the participants) and extracurricular sports participation (self-reported as the number of days per week spent engaging in at least 60 minutes of sports activities). This study analysed data from 569 individuals (Mage = 14.62, SD ± 1.84; 52% female) across grades 5 to 13. Nearly one-third (29%) of students reported unpleasant core affective experiences from PE in school, and negative experiences correlated with lower PE grades, r(517) = .52, p < 0.001, 95% CI [.45, .58]. Less attraction or antipathy toward PE was associated with fewer days of sports outside of school, r(559) = .38, p < 0.001, 95% CI [.31, .45]. Multiple regression analysis with negative core affective experiences from PE as the criterion and the six cognitive appraisals as predictors, showed that these experiences were primarily influenced by students’ perceived incompetence (b = .49, p < 0.001; R² = .84, F(6, 500) = 436.52, p < 0.001) in PE. Given the empirical evidence on the correlation between affective experiences and exercise behaviours in adults (Rhodes & Kates, 2015), these findings highlight the potential role of fostering positive affective PE experiences. Such experiences may influence lifelong exercise behaviours, and early intervention may prevent the onset of an inactive lifestyle. A new study focuses on children’s (8-12 years) affective experiences from exercise and parent-child interactions, examining the influences of socioeconomic status, parental exercise involvement, and children’s self-perceived body esteem. Elementary school children will report their affective experiences on another, simplified version of the AFFEXX, while their parents will complete a survey on, for example, socioeconomic status and parental involvement in physical activity. By matching data from both surveys, the analysis will explore the relationships between household factors and children’s affective exercise experiences. The goal is to understand early negative affective exercise experiences, assess the impact of family structures, and offer strategies to promote exercise beyond regular school programs.

"Am I really fat/thin?!" Self-perceived body image and correlation with nutritional status among medical students in Central Gujarat.

Adolescence is a crucial part of life characterised by rapid body changes that can be influenced by perceptions and misinformation regarding their body image. Body image is usually associated with self-esteem and self-worth. Therefore, it is important to address this issue at this transitional time. This study aims to understand the perception of body image and its correlation with nutritional status among first-year medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year medical students enrolled in the MBBS curriculum. Data related to perception of body image were collected through a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire. Height and weight were taken by the principal investigator at the time of data collection and body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to Asian criteria for BMI. Kappa statistics were used for the agreement between self-perceived body image and BMI. A total of 234 out of the 250 students enrolled in the first year gave consent for the study. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the students was 18 (17-19) years and 72% were male students. One-fourth of the students were dissatisfied with their weight (26.9%) followed by height (25%). The Kappa statistics for agreement between BMI and self-perception about body weight was 0.373 (95% confidence interval [CI], standard error (SE) of Kappa = 0.048), showing poor agreement. One-fourth of the students were dissatisfied with their physical appearance. The agreement between perceived body weight and nutritional status was poor (64.53%).

Are increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa linked to self-perceived body image and nutritional adequacy of Turkish adults?

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study, conducted on 4003 participants aged between 18 and 45, aims to contribute to orthorexia nervosa (ON) research by examining the relationship between ON, body image and nutritional adequacy. The Orthorexia Nervosa-11 scale (ORTO-11) and body perception scale were applied to individuals, and food consumption records were taken with a 24-hour dietary recall method. The study found that more individuals with orthorexia nervosa (ON) considered themselves overweight compared to non-ON individuals. Evaluating diet quality, the mean adequacy ratio was significantly higher in ON individuals. Nutrient adequacy ratios for total fiber, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin C were higher, while those for carbohydrate and iron were lower in ON individuals. Additionally, increasing the number of snacks, protein, and total fiber adequacy decreased the ORTO-11 score. Distorted body image perception may be a risk factor for ON, but healthy eating fixation does not lead to nutrient inadequacy unless it involves progressive food restriction.

Assessment of adolescent physical development using body mass index and body self-perception

Underweight or overweight in children and adolescents is a serious public health problem. Self-perception is an important factor in promoting health, especially during adolescence. The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of self-perception of children with low body weight, normal body weight, overweight and obesity. This study was conducted in Kharkiv secondary schools in November 2021. The total number of participants was 14,853, of which 8,290 were girls and 6,563 were boys, aged 10-17 years. Using an online questionnaire, adolescents indicated their body weight and height, and also assessed their own health preserving activities. Diagnosis of being underweight, overweight and obesity was carried out in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Body self-esteem was assessed using the following questions: “What do you think about your body?”; “How satisfied are you with your health?”; “How satisfied are you with yourself?”; “How can you assess your own health?”. According to the results of the examination based on BMI, it was found that 63.1±2.4% of adolescents have normal body weight. Overweight was detected in 12.3±1.1%, obesity – in 2.4±0.5%. 17.4±1.3% of participants were underweight, and 4.8±0.7% had body mass deficit. By their own assessment, 75.0% of children considered themselves to have “normal” body weight, another 15.0% considered their weight “more than normal,” and about 10.0% of adolescents considered themselves “lean.” Among boys, 61.0% had normal body weight. About 16.5% of boys were considered overweight, and 3.8% of boys were obese. Insufficient body weight was found in 14.08% of respondents, and 4.6% had big body mass deficit. Among girls, the percentage of participants with normal body weight was 64.8%. 8.95% of participants were considered overweight, 1.35% were obese. Almost 20.0% were underweight; a large deficiency was detected in 5.0% of girls. In order to carry out health promotion activities among schoolchildren, the sexual characteristics of self-perception of one's own body and health problems among adolescents should be taken into account. Boys were almost twice as more satisfied with themselves and their health than girls, regardless of how they perceived their body (p<0.01). The number of boys with overweight and obesity was twice as high as girls (20.0% vs. 10.0%). At the same time, almost one in four girls and one in five boys were underweight and/or had body mass deficit. The systematic collection and analysis of data on the health-preserving behavior of adolescents is an important component of the development and creation of health care programs for the children's population of Ukraine.

The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Psychometric evaluation of the Puerto Rican Spanish version among women aged ≥ 50 years who are breast cancer survivors

Purspose Self-perceived body image may impact women’s well-being and levels of depressive symptomatology after cancer-related treatment. The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a 10-item, unidimensional tool used to assess body appreciation, a facet of body image. A culturally relevant version of the BAS-2 was needed for the Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico. A cross-cultural adaptation of the BAS-2 for Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico was conducted and tested its psychometric properties, using a methodological design. It was hypothesized that the BAS-2 adapted for Puerto Rican Spanish would have an internal consistency with a Cronbach α value greater than 0.70 and a unidimensional structure; and that body appreciation would be positively and significantly correlated to mental health and would be negatively and significantly correlated to depression and body mass index. Methods One hundred-nine participants were recruited with a diagnosis of breast cancer (stages 0 to III) who completed adjuvant curative therapy at least two months to five years prior to recruitment. Results Participants had an average age of 61.5 years (SD = 7.1), and 64.2% had a bachelor’s degree or higher educational level. The internal consistency of the BAS-2 adapted for the Puerto Rican Spanish was Cronbach α = 0.92. Exploratory factor analysis indicated one-dimensionality of the test. Body appreciation was negatively correlated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology and with a higher body mass index, and positively correlated with higher levels of mental health. Conclusion The BAS-2 adapted for the Spanish of Puerto Rico is a psychometrically sound instrument to assess body image.

Body Weight Perceptions Among Youth From 6 Countries and Associations With Social Media Use: Findings From the International Food Policy Study

BackgroundBody dissatisfaction is associated with poor psychological and physical health, particularly among young people. However, limited data exist on body size perceptions across countries and factors associated with dissatisfaction. ObjectiveThis study examined dissatisfaction prevalence and associations with sociodemographics and social media use among youth in 6 countries. DesignRepeat cross-sectional national online surveys were conducted as part of the 2019 and 2020 International Food Policy Study Youth Survey. ParticipantsThe sample included 21 277 youth aged 10 to 17 years from Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Youth were recruited to complete the online survey through parents/guardians enrolled in the Nielsen Consumer Insights Global Panel and their partners’ panels. Main outcome measuresFigural drawing scales assessed self-perceived and ideal body images, with differences between scales representing body dissatisfaction. Statistical analyses performedMultinomial logistic regression models examined differences in body dissatisfaction by country, and associations with sociodemographics and either social media screen time or platforms used, including 2-way interactions with country. ResultsOverall, approximately 45% of youth reported the same perceived and ideal body sizes, whereas 35% were “larger than ideal” (from 33% in Canada and Australia to 42% in Chile) and 20% were “thinner than ideal” (from 15% in Chile to 22% in Mexico). Greater social media screen time was associated with a higher likelihood of moderate-severe dissatisfaction for being “thinner than ideal” and at least mild dissatisfaction for being “larger than ideal” (P < .003 for all contrasts), with greater dissatisfaction among users of YouTube and Snapchat than nonusers (P ≤ .005 for both contrasts). Modest differences in body dissatisfaction between countries were observed for age, ethnicity, body mass index, and weight-based teasing. ConclusionsBody dissatisfaction is prevalent among youth across diverse countries. These findings highlight the need to promote healthy body image in youth, particularly among social media users.

The impacto of mammaplasty and lipectomy on self concept and body self-perception image: integrative review

The impacto of mammaplasty and lipectomy on self concept and body self-perception image: integrative review

Determinants of menstrual dysfunction in the female athlete triad: A cross-sectional study in Italian athletes.

BackgroundIn 1992 the American College of Sports Medicine first described the Female Athlete Triad. The Triad is a metabolic injury involving three distinct clinical traits: low energy availability, with possible eating disorder, low bone mineral density and menstrual dysfunction (MD). Although the estimated prevalence of the Triad is low (1.2 %), single factors are common in female athletes, at all competitive levels and ages. Even though the Triad was described over two decades ago, the interrelation of the three diagnostics components is still debated: additional evidence is required to improve the multidisciplinary treatment approach for this complex condition. MD is one of the first signs of energy impairment. The present study aims at investigating MD determinants and predictors in female athletes, to allow an early diagnosis of the Triad and to implement adequate preventive strategies. Materials and methodsAn original structured questionnaire was composed to detect the presence of MD risk factors. Included participants were active female athletes within reproductive age range (15–40 years old). Anthropometric parameters and training-related factors, possibly affecting the regularity of the menstrual cycle, were investigated. ResultsRespondents were 288 female athletes. Among them, 73.3 % were under 25 years of age; 6.6 % resulted underweight; 30.6 % reported to follow a meal plan/diet and 13.9 % declared to be a smoker. Lean sports were practiced by 30.6 % of responders. Body-weight congruence was detected in in 79.9 % of participants, whereas overestimation of body image was found in 16.3 % of athletes. Irregular menstrual cycle, a possible MD predictor, was present in 33.0 % of athletes, with 41.1 % practicing some lean sport (p = 0.007). Also, overestimation of body image suggested an increased risk of menstrual irregularity (p = 0.001). BMI <18.5 or BMI >30 could also act as risk factor, although significance was not fully obtained (p = 0.053). Overall, practice of lean sports and overestimation of body image appeared good determinants of increased menstrual irregularity (AOR 2.02 and 3.83, respectively). ConclusionsMenstrual irregularity in female athletes can be considered an early predictor of MD: risk is further increased in athletes of lean sports and reporting an overestimation of self-perceived body image. Screenings and awareness programs should specifically address female athletes, because of their vulnerable-group profile. In order to define a standardized at-risk profile for Triad onset and sequelae likelihood, evaluation of menstrual regularity should especially be considered, in conjunction with the assessment of other indicators of energy availability (e.g. TEE, lean and fat mass, BMC). Testing for sport-derived stress and disordered eating attitudes is also recommended. Preventive strategy should involve the proactive engagement of sport clubs and periodic competitive sport medical assessment.

Development of a visual-perceptual method to assess body image: A cross-cultural validation in Canadian and Spanish women.

The objectives of this study were (a) to explore the preliminary cross-cultural validity of a visual-perceptual method to assess body image; (b) to examine potential differences and similarities in body image phenomena between women from two Western countries (i.e., Canada and Spain). 201 self-identified women participated in this cross-sectional study. Ideal, normal, and self-perceived body sizes were assessed using a visual-perceptual method, whereas body dissatisfaction was measured using both a visual-perceptual method and a questionnaire. Visual-perceptual body dissatisfaction was significantly correlated with questionnaire body dissatisfaction, suggesting a preliminary convergent validity between the two assessment methods. Women in both countries were dissatisfied with their bodies. Compared to their self-perceived body, all women chose a significantly thinner visual representation of their "normal" and ideal body. These results may suggest a shift towards the "thin" body as not only ideal, but also normative. This study provides the first evidence for the cross-cultural validity of a visual-perceptual body image assessment tool. The results of the current study confirm the presence of "normative discontent", and suggest more cross-country similarities than differences among women from these two Western societies.

Plant-based diets: obesity prejudice and body self-perception relations in young females

BACKGROUND: In recent years, plant-based diets and their effects on health have gained attention. This diet has become a preferred dietary style for managing obesity. Weight gain is influenced by various factors, such as low body image perception and obesity prejudice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of plant-based diets among female students and their associations with obesity prejudice and body self-perception. METHODS: The research was conducted with 450 female university students. The anthropometric measurements were obtained based on self-reporting. the GAMS-27 Obesity Prejudice Scale and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relationship Questionnaire (MBSRQ) were applied to evaluate obesity prejudice and body self-perception, respectively. RESULTS: The study found no significant differences in anthropometric measurements between omnivores and vegetarians (p &gt; 0.05). However, 78.6% of the students showed some level of tendency toward prejudice or prejudice against obesity. There was no significant relationship between body weight, BMI, and obesity prejudice in both dietary groups (p &gt; 0.05). Yet, vegetarians had significantly lower mean scores on the MBRSQ, indicating body image dissatisfaction (p &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While the anthropometric measurement and prejudice against obesity did not yield notable results, significantly lower scores on the MBSRQ indicated greater dissatisfaction with body image in vegetarians.

Weight Status (BMI) and Self-Reported Body Image of Saudis and Non - Saudis Female Staff at the University of Hail, (KSA)

Background: Body image and weight perceptions have a significant impact on nutritional practices and weight management. An inability to accurately assess body image and weight status may result in ineffective weight management measures and health risks. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the weight status (BMI), self-perceived body image, and dietary habits of Saudi and non-Saudi women working at the University of Hail. Material and Methods: A well-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on 240 respondents' demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, self-perceived body image, medical histories, amount of time spent engaging in various activities, and frequency of consuming various food categories. Results: Sixty-one percent were 31–40 years old, and 33% were 41–50 years of age. Saudi subjects' mean height was 159 cm, their weight was 65 kg and their BMI was 25 kg/m2. Whereas in non-Saudi countries, the mean height was 160 ± 5.8, weight 66 ± 16.1, and BMI 26 ± 6.0. The prevalence of obesity or being overweight is shown for both categories. A comparison of BMI and self-perceived body image revealed that Saudi respondents accurately assessed their own body image, in contrast to pre-obese and obese non-Saudis. Hypertension and diabetes were common among pre-obese and obese subjects in both groups. Pre-obese (23%), obese (17%), Saudis, and pre-obese (18%) non-Saudis spend more than 6 hours on their cell phone. Walking and exercising at the gym were favourite activities among normal and pre-obese Saudi and non-Saudi subjects. Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between weight status and the amount of time spent doing sedentary activities (X2 (9, N = 240) =19.60, P =.0204). Dietary practices showed consumption of cereals, meat, and milk products was higher compared to fruits and vegetables. As a result, the diet was lacking in fiber-rich foods, which may be one of the causes of the high prevalence of overweight or obesity. Conclusion: For the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, good dietary practices with an emphasis on physical activity should be highlighted. Keywords: Weight status (BMI); Body Image; Weight perceptions; Dietary practices; Physical Activity

Use of Social Media, Satisfaction with Body Image, and the Risk of Manifesting Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in adolescents are an increasingly important issue nowadays. Although they have been shown to be a pathology with multifactorial causes, the objective of our study is to determine the degree of influence that body dissatisfaction and the use of social media (time and type) might have on the risk of manifesting eating disorders. To perform this, the Sick Control One Fat Food scale was used as part of a randomized survey carried out among 12 schools in Almería (Spain). The sample consisted of 605 students in Compulsory Secondary Education between the ages of 12 and 17 years (M = 14.27; SD = 1.44), 48.42% female and 51.52% male. Cross-tabulation tables were constructed to observe the relationship of sex and age with the risk of manifesting EDs, and, subsequently, a two-factor ANOVA was performed using the risk of suffering from an eating disorder as a dependent variable. The results show that 29.3% of the respondents express an elevated risk of suffering from an eating disorder. There are no significant differences regarding sex, but there are differences regarding age. It was also observed that dissatisfaction with body image is a significant risk factor, but not the time that young people spend on social media. Furthermore, the type of content displayed on social media has a significant influence, both independently and together with body dissatisfaction. The main conclusion highlighted in this study relates to the importance of self-perceived body image (satisfaction and dissatisfaction) and its relationship with the type of content seen on social media. For this reason, it is essential to work on self-esteem at an early age as well as learn to value others and oneself beyond just the physical.

Influencer marketing and health repercussions: a literature review on the impact of influencers on eating behavior and body self-perception

Influencer marketing and health repercussions: a literature review on the impact of influencers on eating behavior and body self-perception

Self-perception of body image of Brazilian adolescents from 2009 to 2019 according to Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE)

This study analyzes the self-perception of body image reported by adolescents from 2009 to 2019 according to sex and region, based on the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE). An epidemiological, descriptive time-series analysis was carried out with prevalence and trend measures of how adolescents perceive themselves in relation to their bodies according to the data provided by the PeNSE surveys from 2009 to 2019. The prevalence of adolescents who considered themselves normal reached 47.6% (95%CI: 46.1-49.1) in 2019, representing a negative difference of 12.5 percentage points (p.p.) and a variation of 20.7% compared to 2009. In 2019, 31.4% (95%CI: 30.0-32.9) of boys reported feeling thin or very thin, a difference of 8.4p.p. compared to 2009. On the other hand, 28.6% (95%CI: 26.1-31.1) of girls perceived themselves as fat or very fat in 2019, representing a variation of 7.3p.p. compared to 2009. In recent years, there has been a change in the body self-perception of adolescents, with a reduction in the prevalence of those who consider themselves normal and an increase among those who consider themselves thin or very thin for males and fat or very fat for females. These results indicates the importance of investigating the consequences of perceiving oneself as thin or very thin and fat or very fat in the lives of adolescents.

Body Image, Dietary Intake, and Nutrition Knowledge in Relation to Body Composition in Ballerinas

Body composition in relation to body image, dietary intake, and nutrition knowledge among ballerinas were assessed in this study. This cross-sectional study collected data from ballet schools in Jakarta and Bekasi using anthropometric measurements and interviews. Among participants aged 8‒39 years, more than 50% had normal range body composition, 65.4% had self-perceived negative body image, more than 71% had normal dietary intake; however, 67.3% had low nutrition knowledge score. Overweight ballerinas had significantly higher body fat, fat-free mass, fat-free mass index and muscle mass index, except for total-body-water (p&lt;0.05). There is correlation between body composition and body image among ballerinas resided in Jakarta and Bekasi.

Weight Loss Attempts Increased in Korean Adults from 2005 to 2021, Excluding Those with Obesity.

Background: Studies on trends in the proportions of past-year weight loss attempts among Asian adults are limited. Our hypotheses were that trends in the proportions would increase and sociodemographic, weight, and health-related factors would be associated with these attempts. Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2021, this study evaluated the trends and their related factors among Korean adults. Complex sample design analyses were applied to the data of 80,160 adults. Results: The weighted proportion of past-year weight loss attempts increased from 35.2% in 2005 to 41.3% in 2021. The proportion of past-year weight loss attempts increased for individuals with nonobese body mass index (BMIs) (<25 kg/m2), decreased for males with obese BMIs (≥25 kg/m2), and did not change for females with obese BMIs. A multivariate-adjusted model showed that the proportion of weight loss attempts decreased for males and increased for females over the 16-year period [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval): males, 0.993 (0.988-0.998); females, 1.013 (1.009-1.017)]. The OR of weight loss attempts was higher for females, younger individuals, and those with higher economic status, higher BMIs, self-perceived larger body shapes, self-rated better health, and chronic diseases. These characteristics decreased the odds of individuals with obese BMIs making no weight loss attempts. Conclusions: The proportion of past-year weight loss attempts increased over the 16-year period among all participants, but a declining trend was observed for those with obesity. In addition to BMI, socioeconomic factors, subjective perceptions of body shape, and health-related factors were related to weight loss attempts.

Self-Reported Lipodystrophy and Self-Perception of Body Image in Adults with HIV

Abstract Introduction and Objectives Nutritional assessment in individuals infected with HIV-1 holds significance as it allows for indirect monitoring of physiological and morphological changes, identification of nutritional risks, and effective intervention to maintain or restore nutritional status. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing the quality of life for this population. This study aims to establish a connection between self-image perceptions and body composition, biochemical profiles, and the use of lipid-lowering medications among adults with HIV who are undergoing outpatient follow-up in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted involving 231 adults, both on and off antiretroviral drugs. The study subjectively assessed two aspects: (1) alterations in the redistribution of body fat (referred to as self-reported lipodystrophy) and (2) self-perceptions of body image. These variables were subsequently correlated with the individuals' self-perceived body image. Results The study included 67% (n = 154) men and 33% (n = 77) women, with 28.5% (n = 66) having been exposed to some form of protease inhibitor. Among the participants, 40% (n = 98) perceived alterations in the redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy). Notable changes included fat loss in the face, arms, thighs, and buttocks (p = 0.004, 0.006, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively), along with increased waistlines (p = 0.001), prominent veins (p = 0.001), and the presence or increase of lipomas (p = 0.046). Conclusion A positive correlation was observed between the use of lipid-lowering medications and self-perceptions of body image. In this study, anthropometric and biochemical parameters proved more effective in assessing changes in the distribution of body fat among people living with HIV/AIDS compared to the subjective self-reported method.