Underestimation Of Body Weight Research Articles

Association between body weight perception and actual body mass index among adult women in Erbil city, Iraq

BackgroundThe misperception of body weight can significantly affect individuals' health behaviors, such as physical activity, diet, and weight management. This study aimed to examine the association between body weight perception and actual body mass index (BMI) among adult women and explore the factors influencing this relationship.MethodsFive hundred forty female individuals aged 18–65 participated in this cross-sectional study. The validated Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for data collection. The BMI of the participants was calculated from measured body weight and height. Body weight perception was assessed using a single questionnaire item. The association of BMI and body weight perception was assessed, and the result was categorized as underestimation, consistency, and overestimation. The Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the consistency of BMI and body weight perception by different sociodemographic factors. The kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of BMI and body weight perception.ResultsOf the 540 participants, 13.3% underestimated their body weight status, 79.1% accurately perceived their body weight status, and 7.6% overestimated their body weight status. Unmarried women (11.7%) were more likely than ever married (4.3%) to overestimate their body weight (p = 0.005). On multiple logistic regression, being unmarried (OR = 1.68 (95%CI 1.01–2.80)) was significantly associated with body weight misperception. Body weight perception and BMI categories showed a significantly good consistency (kappa = 0.612, p < 0.001). Correct perception of body weight was highest among the overweight, followed by normal weight and underweight individuals (82.1%, 75.8%, and 72.2%, respectively).ConclusionBody weight perception was well associated with actual body weight status. Unmarried women are more likely to misperceive body weight, particularly overestimating it. Underestimation of body weight was relatively high and much higher than the overestimation, which might keep obese individuals from weight loss activities. Preventing obesity should include awareness about body weight misperceptions.

Body image and dietary habits in adolescents: a systematic review.

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage in which increasing concerns about body image (BI) coincide with the consolidation of dietary habits (DHs). Multiple studies have sought robust associations between BI and DHs to prevent unhealthy behaviors. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature on the association between BI perception (BIP) and/or satisfaction (BIS) and DHs in adolescents. A search was carried out of 5 electronic databases (PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycInfo) using a combination of keywords (and synonyms) related to adolescence, BI, and diet. Data screening, extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 investigators using the PRISMA and AXIS guidelines. Of 2496 articles screened, 30 articles, published in English or Spanish, that evaluated the relationship between BI and DHs in adolescents aged between 10 years and 18 years, were included. A relationship between accurate BI perception in adolescents and healthy DHs was reported in 5 articles (16.2%). A relationship between overestimation of body weight in adolescents and healthy DHs was reported in 4 articles (13.3%). A relationship between underestimation of body weight and unhealthy DHs was reported in 8 articles (26.7%). In addition, 4 articles (13.3%) reported a relationship between BIS and healthy DHs. The desire to gain weight was associated with unhealthy DHs in 3 (10%) of the articles, while the desire to lose weight was related to healthy DHs in 3 (10%) of the articles and to unhealthy DHs in 3 (10%) other articles. There were also gender differences in the relationship between BIP or BIS and DHs. Adolescents who underestimate their body weight tend to report less healthy DHs than body weight overestimators. Adolescents unsatisfied with their BI and with a drive for thinness frequently engage in DHs linked to losing weight. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020184625.

Acordo entre o peso corporal, percepção materna e estado de peso em crianças

Antecedentes: As taxas de obesidade continuam aumentando, principalmente entre as crianças. Estudos apontam a subestimação do peso corporal como principal fator para a não adesão aos comportamentos de perda de peso e, em crianças, bem como a subestimação do tamanho do corpo, a percepção percebida pelos pais sobre o peso de seus próprios filhos. é crucial para a manutenção principal do sobrepeso e obesidade. Assim, enfatiza-se que a percepção acurada da imagem corporal de crianças e pais é essencial para combater a alta prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade na população infantil. Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância entre a autopercepção e a percepção materna do peso corporal das crianças e seu status de peso corporal. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 935 crianças de 6 a 10 anos e 922 mães. O status do peso corporal foi avaliado por meio de medidas de peso e altura e a percepção da imagem corporal por meio de software para Avaliação da Percepção Corporal Infantil. Resultados: Crianças classificadas como "baixo peso" ou "peso normal" demonstraram maior acurácia em suas percepções e tendência à superestimação em meninas cujo status de peso é "normal", enquanto crianças obesas ou com excesso de peso tendem a superestimar seu status de peso. As mães, por outro lado, subestimaram o status de peso dos filhos, independentemente do sexo do filho. Conclusão: As crianças apresentaram percepções mais precisas do que as mães em relação ao peso / tamanho corporal.

Baseline Descriptors of Urban Overweight/Obese Zulu Women Enrolled in a Weight Loss Intervention, South Africa (P21-034-19)

ObjectivesDeveloping a profile of weight and health status, body image, eating behavior and psychological well-being of urban overweight/obese Zulu women enrolled in a weight loss intervention. MethodsBody mass index (BMI) and waist-circumference was determined. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Total energy intake was calculated, based on a three day estimated food record. Eating behavior, presence of depression, self-esteem and general psychological well-being was assessed with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) respectively. ResultsThe mean ± SD BMI of the group (N = 99) was 37.79 ± 7.47 kg/m2. The most prevalent MetS risk factor was central obesity, followed by high blood pressure and low HDL levels. MetS was diagnosed in 24% (n = 18) of the group for whom blood samples were available (n = 75). The majority of participants thought that they were currently overweight, however one in ten thought their weight was normal, with a desired BMI being in the overweight range. Daily energy intake was 83% of the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for women aged 19–50 years. Depending on the cut-off used, the level of under-reporting ranged from 17.1 to 39.0%. About a quarter of the sample were depressed, with one in ten having a low self-esteem. There were no significant associations between baseline BMI and depression (BDI), self-esteem (RSQ), general psychological well-being and eating behaviour scores (TFEQ). ConclusionsPotential barriers to compliance with, and remaining in the intervention included a distorted body image, with an underestimation of body weight being the norm. The frequent consumption of high fat foods, energy dense snacks, and a high energy intake over weekends, was documented. Other potential barriers included a low self-esteem and depression. Baseline screening of body image, eating behavior and psychological well being of those enrolled in a weight loss intervention is recommended to curb attrition. Funding SourcesUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, Medical Research Council.

Body Weight Perception Versus Body Weight Status: How Good is The Agreement?

Introduction: Body weight perception is an important underlying psychological factor associated with body weight. Overemphasis on thinness among adolescents can lead to unhealthy dieting practices and eating disorders, whereas underestimation of body weight may increase risk of the development of overweight and obesity. This study measured the agreement between body weight perception and body weight status (BMI) among late adolescents in Kuantan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2018 among 418 adolescents of six higher learning institutions in Kuantan; aged 17-19 years old. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Self-administered, validated questionnaires; Figure Rating Scale (FRS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. The strength of agreement between BMI and body weight perception was examined using Kappa statistics. Results: Overall, 37.6% of total participants misjudged their own body weight. Of particular note, 51.9% of real underweight participants misperceived body weight as normal weight and overweight while 47.2% of obese participants incorrectly perceived their body weight as overweight. The agreement between body weight perception and body mass index was poor (k=-0.09, p&lt; 0.01). The discrepancy more marked in male (k = -0.11, p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: Body weight perception was not in agreement with actual weight in late adolescents. Accurate body weight perception is an important factor in late adolescent’s weight management behaviour. More effort should be done in order to correct misperception among this age group for their health benefits.

Obesity matters but is not perceived: A cross-sectional study on cardiovascular disease risk factors among a population-based probability sample in rural Zambia.

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia, has experienced an increase in overweight and obesity due to rapid lifestyle changes associated with recent economic growth. We explored the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity in rural Zambia. We also investigated the role of self-perception of body weight in weight control given the local socio-cultural context.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 690 residents of the Mumbwa district aged 25–64 years through a multistage, clustered, household random sampling. We administered a questionnaire and collected anthropometric and bio-behavioral data from May to July 2016. Factors associated with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and underestimation of body weight were assessed using multiple logistic regression.ResultsOf the weighted sample of 689 participants (335 men and 354 women), 185 (26.8%) had BMI ≥25 kg/m2. In multivariate analyses, female gender, age 45–64 years, tertiary education, higher fruit and vegetable intake, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid profile, and Hemoglobin A1c ≥5.7% were significantly associated with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Among participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, 14.2% and 58.2% perceived themselves as being underweight and normal weight, respectively. Age 45–64 years was the only factor significantly associated with body weight underestimation. Preference for obesity was reported by 17.5% and 3.6% of respondents with BMI <25 kg/m2 and BMI≥25 kg/m2, respectively; “looks attractive” and “fear of being perceived as HIV-positive” were the main reasons.ConclusionIn rural Zambia, overweight and obesity are prevalent and significantly associated with alterations in blood pressure, blood lipid profile, and glucose metabolism. However, most subjects with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 underestimated their body weight; some preferred obesity, in part due to cultural factors and HIV-related stigma. A health promotion program that addresses such perceptions and body weight underestimation should be urgently introduced in Zambia.

ESTIMATION OF BODY MASS INDEX FROM SELF-REPORTED MEASURES: WHAT IS THE VALIDITY?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of self-reported measures for calculating body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted on 1,000 students. Body weight and height were measured by a trained evaluator and were obtained by self-report of the participants. There was a trend towards underestimation of body weight by 0.3 kg and overestimation of height by 1.0 cm, which resulted in lower self-reported BMI compared to measured BMI (p <0.001; r = 0.34). Analysis of agreement with measured BMI showed very high reliability of self-reported BMI. The evaluation of nutritional status based on measured BMI resulted in an increase in the percentage of eutrophic individuals (+2.3%) and a decrease in obese individuals (-3.2%). This decrease was greater among men (-6.1%). A change in nutritional status classification occurred in 14.5% of the participants when evaluated by self-reported BMI. In conclusion, there is good agreement between self-reported and measured BMI, but the results suggest caution in the use of self-reported BMI alone or as a continuous variable. Categorized information seems to be more appropriate for the classification of nutritional status.

Body Misperception and Its Associated Factors among Cancer Survivors in Korea

Background:As the number of cancer survivors is increasing, the importance of their healthcare management is becoming emphasized. For this purpose, appropriate recognition of the importance of body weight is necessary. This study concerned misconceptions about body weight and related factors among cancer patients.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved 1,159 participants who participated in the 2007-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess cancer information, socioeconomic status, health behavior, and psychological factors.Results:Men had a higher rate of underestimation and a lower rate of overestimation of body weight than women (34.7% vs. 22.9%; 10.9% vs. 15.5%, respectively). Underestimation of body weight was positively associated with a self-assessment of being in poor health in men (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.58-3.75) and in elderly women (OR 3.70, 95% CI 2.44-5.23). Overestimation of body weight was positively associated with depression in men (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.01-4.63) and a high educational level/high-income level and having tried to control weight in women (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.16-3.18; OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.47; OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.82-5.77, respectively).Conclusions:Higher socioeconomic status (SES), depression, self-rated health status, age, and weight control trials were found to be associated with underestimation and overestimation of body weight in cancer survivors. From this study, it is evident that more efforts are needed to remove misperceptions and to develop healthy behavior for cancer survivors by various means.

The association of body image distortion with weight control behaviors, diet behaviors, physical activity, sadness, and suicidal ideation among Korean high school students: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThe identification of predictors for body image distortion would be an especially important first step in targeting a vulnerable population and developing a nutrition intervention program. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of body image distortion and the factors associated with body image distortion among Korean high school students.MethodsWe selected 20,264 normal weight high school students from the 10th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey using nationally representative data in 2014. With multivariate logistic regression, we assessed the association of body image distortion with individual demographic and socio-economic factors, weight control behaviors, and mental health characteristics.ResultsThe over-estimation group of body weight status, compared with the correct estimation group, was significantly more likely to be a 3rd year high school student [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.27, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.16–1.39], to be female [AOR: 3.52, 95 % CI: 3.25–3.81], to employ unhealthy weight control behaviors [AOR: 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.37–1.72], and to have a sadness [AOR: 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.16–1.35] and suicidal ideation [AOR: 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.08–1.33]. The under-estimation group, compared with the correct estimation group, was significantly less likely to be female [AOR: 0.23, 95 % CI: 0.21–0.25] and to employ unhealthy weight control behaviors [AOR: 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.43–0.59] but were more likely to have a sadness [AOR: 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.21] and suicidal ideation [AOR: 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.00–1.25].ConclusionsNot only the over-estimation but also the under-estimation of body weight is prevalent among high school students in South Korea. Body image distortion was significantly associated with sadness and suicidal ideation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2703-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Misperception of body weight in Peruvian women

The prevalence of obesity is still increasing worldwide and in many countries has escalated to epidemic proportions; in Peru recent data estimate 50% of adults have excess body weight. Evidence suggests that the global increase in obesity is associated with incorrect perception of body size which is an important determinant of weight-related behaviours. Data were collected from 232 adult females randomly recruited from a local community in the department of San Martin, Peru. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Information regarding self-perceived body weight, health perception and socio-demographic data was collected using a questionnaire and compared with measured BMI (Pearson's Chi square test, p ≤ 0.05). 63.7% of women were classified as overweight/obese by BMI, but only 14.7% considered themselves as overweight. Overall, 78% of participants underestimated their body weight, and no incidence of overestimation was reported. Furthermore, underestimation of body weight was more common among obese/overweight than normal weight women (χ2 = 120.2; p < 0.001). No association between body weight misperception and age, educational level, marital and employment status was observed. However, body weight underestimation was significantly higher among women from rural than urban community (83.3% vs. 72.35%; χ2 = 4.0; p = 0.046). Women who perceived themselves as overweight felt less comfortable with their body weight, but surprisingly their weight and health status were less important to them compared with women classified as overweight based on measured BMI. Underestimation of body weight among Peruvian women is common which may present a challenge for public health interventions aiming to tackle obesity epidemic.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity and weight loss practice among Beijing adults, 2011.

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the up-to-date prevalence of overweight and obesity, the distributions of body weight perception and weight loss practice in Beijing adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011. A total of 2563 men and 4088 women aged 18–79 years from the general population were included. Data were obtained from questionnaire and physical examination.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight (BMI 24–27.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI≥28 kg/m2) was 42.1% and 20.3% in men and 35.6% and 17.1% in women, respectively. Age was inversely associated with overweight in both sexes, and obesity in women. Education level was negatively associated with overweight and obesity in women but not in men. Only 49.1% men and 58.3% women had a correct perception of their body weight. Underestimation of body weight was more common than overestimation, especially in men, the older people, and those with low education level. The percentage of taking action to lose weight was inversely associated with men and old age, and positively associated with higher education level, higher BMI, and self-perception as “fat” (OR = 3.78 in men, OR = 2.91 in women). Only 26.1% of overweight/obese individuals took action to lose weight. The top two weight loss practices were to reduce the amount of food intake and exercise.ConclusionOverweight and obesity were highly prevalent with high incorrect body weight perceptions in the general adult population in Beijing. Weight loss practice was poor in overweight and obese individuals. Actions at multiple levels are needed to slow or control this overweight and obesity epidemic.