Accurate Weight Perception Research Articles

Accuracy of body weight perception: The Case of Türkiye

Abstract Background Accuracy of body weight perception is defined as the extent to which an individual’s self-assessment of their body weight aligns with their actual body weight. Our study evaluates the accuracy of body weight perception, an important factor in preventing and managing obesity and overweight, according to sociodemographic factors. Methods This study utilizes data from the nationwide cross-sectional ‘Nutrition and Health Survey 2017’. The survey includes 12,266 participants who were interviewed face-to-face. Factors influencing the accuracy of body weight perception were evaluated using the chi-square test. Subsequently, the logistic regression models were constructed to assess factors that were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Results The prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be 36.3% and 71.5%, respectively. The accuracy of body weight perception was 39.2%, underestimation was 57.0%, and overestimation was 3.8%. There was no significant difference in accuracy of body weight perception between sexes (p = 0.94). According to logistic regression analysis (n = 12.168), accuracy of body weight perception was higher among individuals who were not overweight compared to those who were overweight (p < 0.001, OR: 4.56, CI: 4.16-4.98), among those aged 15-44 compared to those aged 45 and over (p < 0.001, OR: 1.47, CI: 1.35-1.60), among those with high school and higher education compared to those with middle school education or less (p < 0.001, OR: 1.43, CI: 1.31-1.56), among unmarried individuals compared to married ones (p = 0.011, OR: 1.12, CI: 1.03-1.23), and in individuals with poor income status compared to good (p = 0.005, OR: 1.13, CI: 1.04-1.22). Conclusions In health promotion programs aiming to perceive body weight accurately, priority should be given to people with overweight, those with low education levels, married individuals, people aged 45 and over, and individuals with low income. Key messages • Accuracy of body weight perception is important in fighting obesity. • Individuals with overweight, have a low level of education, are married, aged 45 and over, and have low income are misperceive their body weight to a greater extent.

Weight status underestimation and weight management goals among adults in the rural South of the United States.

To examine factors associated with weight status underestimation and the relationship between weight status underestimation and weight loss as a weight management goal among adults living in the rural South. An anonymous survey was distributed at six primary care clinics and two churches in rural, South Carolina counties. Weight status underestimation was determined based on the difference between perceived weight status using standard body mass index (BMI) categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) and BMI category from self-reported height and weight. Participants reported whether their weight management goal was to lose, maintain, or gain weight. Chi-square and binary logistic regressions were used for data analysis. A total of 185 respondents (76% female) at least partially completed the survey. Nearly 60% underestimated their weight status. Increasing BMI was associated with higher odds of weight status underestimation (OR: 1.10, 95%: 1.04, 1.15) and perceptions of being in fair or poor health was associated with lower odds of weight status underestimation relative to perceiving health as good or better (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.66). Among those with overweight and obesity, the association between underestimating weight status and having weight loss as a weight management goal was strong but not statistically significant (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.04). Underestimating weight status was common among adults in the rural US South and was related to BMI and health status. Research is needed to determine if improving the accuracy of weight perceptions can promote weight management in the rural South.

Weight misperception and weight-related behaviors in non-Hispanic Black youth.

Current literature is conflicting regarding whether accurate weight perception encourages healthy weight-related behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of weight misperception and explored associations between weight misperception and weight-related behaviors among 353 Black adolescents in Broward County, Florida. Overall, 44.8% of participants misperceived their weight, with boys more often misperceiving their weight than girls (52.2% vs 40.2%). Students who misperceived their weight were more likely to try to lose weight but less likely to be adequately physically active. Adolescents who underestimated their weight were less likely to be physically active and excessively play video or computer games or use a computer. There was no association between weight misperception and daily physical education attendance or excessive television watching. Weight misperception appears to be a risk factor for obesity in adolescents, as weight misperception was associated with lower engagement in physical activity.

Association of Obesity With Health Literacy and Weight Perception Among Women Merchants in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's largest city, obesity rates among women are increasing, posing a major health challenge, especially for the working generation. Merchants represent 64.3% of working women and are a typical occupation for women with low- and middle-income. Health literacy is used to prevent and overcome chronic diseases and can be used as anti-obesity measures. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity, health literacy, and weight perception among women merchants in Abidjan. In this cross-sectional study, we conducted a complete enumeration survey among women merchants in a market in Abidjan from December 2020 to December 2021. In addition to anthropometric measurements, structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. The participants were asked about their weight perception, weight management behaviors, and sociodemographic attributes. They also responded to the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Data were tabulated using descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine obesity's association with HLQ scales, weight perception, and weight management behaviors. Of the 873 participants, 259 (29.7%) were obese; 82% of them underestimated their weight. Obesity was associated with a higher rate of HLQ1 (Feeling understood and supported by health care providers) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.926, confidence interval [CI]:1.450-5.901, p = .03), a lower score of HLQ3 (Actively managing my health) (OR = 0.343, CI:0.165-0.716, p = 0.004), a lower rate of accurate weight perception (OR = 0.145, CI: 0.093-0.224, p < .001), and a lower rate of eating at least three meals per day (OR = 0.401, CI:0.260-0.617, p < .001). Findings from this study of Abidjan women merchants include obese participants' lack of a proactive attitude toward personal health management, and the association of factors such as inaccurate weight perception and eating fewer than three meals per day with obesity. These finding have important implications for future anti-obesity measures. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2024;8(2):e102-e112.].

Do Childcare Teachers Evaluate Children's Weight Status More Accurately Than Parents? A Brief Report.

Parents' underestimation of young children's weight can reduce their engagement and readiness to implement changes in children's diet and physical activity. Childcare teachers can support parents' identification of children at risk for being overweight only if they can accurately do this themselves. Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Fifteen kindergartens near Lisbon, Portugal. 319 parents, 32 teachers (47.5% and 100% response rate, respectively), and 319 children. Caregivers classified the children's weight, considering their height and age as underweight, healthy weight, or overweight; children's body mass index (BMI) status for age and sex was assessed. Differences in caregivers' accuracy of children's weight perception were assessed. Multilevel multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictors of the accuracy of teachers' and parents' weight perception as a binary outcome. The proportion of children with overweight correctly assessed differed significantly (P = 0.004) between teachers (31.1%) and parents (17.5%). The child's BMI percentile was the only significant positive predictor for both caregivers' weight perception accuracy (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, for parents and teachers, respectively), holding the child's age and sex constant. Although childcare teachers were better raters than parents when evaluating children's weight status, the percentage of children with overweight that childcare teachers misclassified was still relatively high.

Relationships of weight perceptions with weight control related behaviors among Chinese children and adolescents: A school-based study in Zhejiang Province.

Weight perceptions have been implicated in weight control related behaviors among children and adolescents, yet studies in mainland China are scarce. We examined the associations of self-perceived weight status and weight misperception with weight control related behaviors in Chinese middle and high school students. We used cross-sectional data from the 2017 Zhejiang Youth Risk Behavior Survey which that included 17,359 Chinese students, with 8,616 boys and 8,743 girls. Perceived weight status, as well as height, weight and weight control related behaviors information was collected via a self-reported questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated by multinomial logistic regression were used to assess the relationships between weight perceptions and weight control related behaviors. Among the 17,359 students aged 9 to 18 years, the mean (SD) age was 15.72 (1.64) years. Overall, 34.19% of children and adolescents perceived themselves as overweight and the prevalence of weight misperception was 45.44%, with 35.54% overestimation and 9.90% underestimation. Children and adolescents perceiving themselves as overweight were more likely to have weight control behaviors, with OR was 2.60 (95% CI: 2.39-2.83) for weight control attempt, 2.48 (2.28-2.70) for exercising, 2.85 (2.60-3.11) for dieting, 2.01 (1.51-2.68) for taking laxatives, 2.09 (1.67-2.02) for taking diet pills, and 2.39 (1.94-2.94) for fasting, respectively, compared to those with right weight status. Among children and adolescents with overestimating weight status, the OR was 2.40 (2.22-2.59), 2.50 (2.31-2.70), 2.85 (2.61-3.11), 1.81 (1.39-2.37), 2.20 (1.77-2.74), and 2.16 (1.77-2.63) for weight control attempt, exercising, dieting, taking laxatives, taking diet pills, and fasting, relative to those with accurate weight perception. Self-perceived overweight and weight misperception are prevalent in Chinese children and adolescents, and positively associated with weight control related behaviors.

Weight perception analysis using pseudo-haptic feedback based on physical work evaluation

Introduction: Since kinesthetic cues are not present in virtual environments, users have difficulty feeling the heaviness of virtual objects. To address this issue, pseudo-haptic approaches have been proposed to illusorily induce the weight of virtual objects through the user’s visual sensory system.Methods: In this paper, we used two methods to induce the impression of virtual objects’ heaviness. One relies on the direct modification of the control-display (C/D) ratio when lifting objects, and the other depends on controlling this ratio based on a velocity restriction. We innovatively measured each approach’s efficiency by analyzing physical work as an objective metric. In addition, we used Borg CR10 to measure users’ hand fatigue during the experimental phases.Results: Our findings are discussed in terms of individual lifting behavior in different pseudo-haptic methods. Furthermore, different virtual weight-lifting behaviors were compared to the same real-world weight-lifting behaviors.Discussion: According to our results, the direct control of the C/D ratio method provides virtual reality users with a more accurate weight perception than the velocity restriction one. Furthermore, with this first method, users’ lifting behavior was closer to the behavior when lifting real objects.

Sociodemographic factors associated with weight perception of adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically assess the main sociodemographic factors associated with weight perception of adolescents. All studies related to adolescents' weight perception were retrieved from seven databases from January 2001 to July 2022. A total of 13 Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords were used to identify qualified studies, and reference lists included in the retrieved studies were manually searched to identify potentially relevant publications. Two evaluators independently assessed the eligibility and extracted data of each study. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) risk of bias evaluation tool was used to evaluate the quality and bias risk of included studies. RevMan (version: 5.3) software was used to conduct heterogeneity test and meta-analysis. A total of 12 studies, published between 2003 and 2020, were selected and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, consisting of 325,367 adolescents from five countries. The risk of bias evaluation indicated that risk of bias was low in five studies and moderate in seven studies. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no differences in the weight perception accuracy among adolescents under different gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-1.15, p = 0.940), place of residence (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.83-1.16, p = 0.800), grade (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.68-4.42, p = 0.250), and family economic level (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86-1.02, p = 0.140). Egger's linear regression showed that there was no significant publication bias in the primary analysis. The current analysis indicates that gender, place of residence, grade, and family economic level were not identified as influencing factors for adolescents' weight perception accuracy. Due to the limitations of the review and included studies, more robust trials are warranted in different social and economic environments to confirm our findings.

Relationships between Weight Perceptions and Suicidal Behaviors in Chinese Adolescents: Results from an Ongoing School-Based Survey in Zhejiang Province.

Weight perception has been implicated in suicidal behaviors among children and adolescents, yet little is known about the relationships in China. We examined the associations of self-perceived weight status and weight misperception with suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Data used in this analysis were from the 2017 Zhejiang Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which included 17,359 middle and high school students aged 9 to 18 years. Information on perceived weight status, as well as the actual height, weight and other related traits, was extracted by a self-reported questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for suicidal behaviors associated with perceived weight status and weight misperception. Overall, the mean (SD) age was 15.7 (1.6) years among the study participants. Students who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely to have increased suicidal ideation and attempts reports, with ORs of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09-1.37) and 1.32 (1.06-1.34), compared to those who perceive themselves as having about the right weight. Overestimated weight was significantly associated with greater odds of suicidal ideation (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.27) and attempts (1.35, 1.10-1.65) relative to accurate weight perception. Controlling for potential confounders, we found that both self-perception of overweight and overestimated perception were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among Chinese adolescents.

Association between bodyweight perception, nutritional status, and weight control practices: A cross-sectional analysis from the Chilean Health Survey 2016-2017.

This research aimed (1) to examine the agreement between body mass index (BMI)-based nutritional status and perceived nutritional status overall and by socio-demographic factors and (2) to state the association between the accuracy of weight perception and weight control practices in the Chilean adult population. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 5,192 Chilean adult participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016–2017. Agreement between BMI-based weight status and body weight perception for the total sample and across subgroups was determined using the weighted kappa coefficient. The agreement between BMI-based and perceived nutritional status of the total sample was fair (kappa = 0.38). A higher rate of weight perception accuracy was identified in women, younger respondents, and participants with higher education, a higher income, and from urban areas than their counterparts. Respondents with overweight or obesity tended to underestimate their nutritional status. Actions to lose weight were higher in those who had the right perception of their overweight/obesity condition and those who overestimated their body weight, regardless of their nutritional status. In all groups, weight loss behaviors were more related to the perceived than the BMI-based nutritional status. The consequences of accurate perception of the nutritional status are discussed including its effects on body weight and mental health.

Gender Differences in the Attitudes and Management of People with Obesity in Saudi Arabia: Data from the ACTION-IO Study.

PurposeSeveral studies have investigated gender differences in various obesity-related outcomes. Females were found to have more accurate weight perception and reported more frequency of attempted weight loss. The objective of this study was to assess gender differences in the attitudes and management of people with obesity (PwO) in Saudi Arabia using data from the ACTION-IO study.Patients and MethodsA survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia in June and July 2018 on adults with obesity (based on self-reported body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2).ResultsA total of 1000 people with obesity completed the survey; 565 (56.5%) were male (mean age of 36.9 years and mean BMI of 33.5 kg/m2) and 435 (43.5%) were female (mean age of 36.3 years and mean BMI of 34.5 kg/m2). The two most reported motivations for wanting to lose weight for both groups were to improve appearance (38%) and to have more energy (35%). Females were more likely to trust their health-care provider (HCP) advice about weight management when compared to males (87% females, 82% males, p = 0.059) and were more likely to have concerns regarding long-term safety associated with prescription weight loss medications (65% female versus 59% males, p = 0.043). On the other hand, males were more likely to seek their physician to prescribe weight loss medication if they hear of a new medication (55% males versus 46% females, p = 0.014), and more to believe that there are good options available for weight loss medications (74% males versus 67% females, p = 0.040). Also, more males prefer to take weight loss medications than to have a weight loss surgery (65% males, 59% females, p = 0.054).ConclusionOverall, this study increases our understanding on the attitudes of both females and males towards the management of weight loss and opens the discussion for gender-specific weight loss interventions.

Association between accuracy of weight perception and life satisfaction among adults with and without anxiety and mood disorders: a cross-sectional study of the 2015-2018 Canadian Community Health Survey.

Weight status and weight perception have a significant impact on life satisfaction. As overweight prevalence increases in Canada, it is important to understand how accuracy of weight perception (AWP) is associated with life satisfaction. This study explored the association between AWP and life satisfaction among Canadian adults with and without anxiety and/or mood disorders. Using datafrom the2015-2018cycles of theCanadian Community Health Survey,an indicator of AWPwas created tocapture concordance betweenperceived weightand actual weight status. Univariate and multivariate Gaussian generalized linear models were assessed while stratifying by sex and presence of anxiety and/or mood disorders. Our sample included 88814 males and 106717 females. For both sexes, perceiving oneself as overweight or underweight, regardless of actual weight status, was associated with lower life satisfaction (β=-0.93 to -0.30), compared to those who accurately perceived their weight as 'just about right'. Perceiving oneself as overweight or underweight was associated with more pronounced differences in life satisfaction scores in those with anxiety and/or mood disorders (β=-1.49 to -0.26) than in those without these disorders (β=-0.76 to -0.25). Weight perception is more indicative of life satisfaction than actual weight status, especially in those with anxiety and/or mood disorders.

Maternal perception of child weight and concern about child overweight mediates the relationship between child weight and feeding practices.

To examine the mediating effects of maternal perception of child weight (weight perception) and concern about overweight (weight concern) on the paths between child weight and maternal feeding practices. Pudong District, Shanghai, China. A convenience sample of 1164 mothers who were primary caregivers of preschool children. Sixty per cent of the mothers perceived their overweight/obese children as normal weight or even underweight. The disagreement between actual child weight and maternal weight perception was statistically significant (Kappa = 0·212, P < 0·001). Structural equation modelling indicated that weight perception fully mediated the relationship between child BMI Z-scores and pressure to eat. Weight concern fully mediated the relationships between child BMI Z-scores and the other three feeding practices. The serial mediating effects of weight perception and concern were statistically significant for the paths between child BMI Z-score and monitoring (β = 0·035, P < 0·001), restriction (β = 0·022, P < 0·001), and food as a reward (β = -0·017, P < 0·05). Child weight may influence maternal feeding practices through weight perception and concern. Thus, interventions are needed to increase the accuracy of weight perception, which may influence several maternal feeding practices and thereby contribute to child health.

Sex-Related Difference in the Association Between Child Neglect and the Accuracy of Body Weight Perception Among Chinese Primary Schoolchildren.

Introduction: Body weight perception (BWP) directly determines weight management behaviors. Although child neglect is a well-established risk factor for managing body weight, little is known about its association with the accuracy of BWP. This study aimed to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between child neglect and BWP accuracy in primary schoolchildren, and explore how these differ based on the sex of the child.Methods: The sample included 1,063 primary schoolchildren (557 boys and 506 girls, aged 8–10 years) from a two-wave observational study between 2018 and 2019 in Wuhan, China. Child neglect and BWP were investigated using self-administered questionnaires. The accuracy of BWP was defined by comparing the BWP and actual body weight, and it was categorized into three groups—consistent, underestimated, and overestimated. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted with fitting child neglect as the independent variable and the accuracy of BWP as the dependent variable.Results: The prevalence of weight misperception was ~44% at baseline (underestimation 40%; overestimation 4%) in Chinese primary schoolchildren. In the cross-sectional analysis, children with a higher level of neglect were more likely to misperceive their body weight. Moreover, there was an apparent sex-related difference that boys who experienced a higher level of neglect significantly reported more underestimation, while girls reported more overestimation. There was no significant longitudinal association between child neglect and the change in BWP accuracy.Conclusions: This study revealed that a higher level of neglect was significantly associated with underestimated BWP in boys and overestimated BWP in girls. The mechanisms of sex-related difference and whether child neglect is involved in the change in BWP, merit further investigations.

Body weight perception, knowledge, practices and associated factors regarding weight reduction: A cross sectional study of treatment seeking obese young adults in Sri Lanka

Background: Obesity and its’ comorbidities in young adults are emerging health concerns. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, type -2 diabetes, carcinomas, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and gynecological complications. Young adulthood is considered the best time period to introduce weight control interventions as the established lifestyle behaviors may persist throughout life.&#x0D; Aims and Objectives: The present study assessed self-perception of body weight, knowledge and practices on obesity and weight reduction and their associated factors in a sample of treatment seeking obese young adults.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Two-hundred and sixty-one obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2) young (18-35 years) adults attending an out-patient nutrition clinic of a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka were studied. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and information on body weight perception and, knowledge and practices on obesity and weight reduction. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured.&#x0D; Results: The mean (±SD) BMI of the participants was 29.0 (±3.6) kg m-2. Only 16.1% precisely perceived themselves as ‘obese’ and increased BMI was only significant predictor of accurate body weight perception (OR=1.23; 95% CI=1.07-1.47; p=0.003). Only 49.0% reported obesity as a disease and 46.0 % and 27.2% that it predisposes to stroke and carcinoma respectively. Although 86.2% have attempted weight reduction, only 33.8% sought professional advice. Diet control was the most common weight reduction strategy (73.1%) and among them 33.3% combined with exercises. One fourth (n=56) relied on green tea for weight reduction and meal skipping was reported in 52.9%.&#x0D; Conclusion: Significant body weight misperception was reported in lower BMI categories. The overall knowledge regarding obesity and weight reduction was satisfactory though not optimum. Diet control with or without physical exercises was the most popular method of weight reduction.

Prevalence and correlates of weight gain attempts across five countries.

To determine the prevalence and correlates of weight gain attempts in a pooled sample of adults aged 18 and older from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Data collected during 2 years (2018 and 2019) of the International Food Policy Study (N=42,108) were analyzed. Unadjusted 12-month prevalence of weight gain attempts was estimated based on body mass index (BMI; kg/m2 ), weight perception, country, survey year, and sex. Logistic regression analyses were estimated to determine the sociodemographic correlates (age, race/ethnicity, education, BMI, weight perception, weight perception accuracy, and self-rated mental health) of weight gain attempts among the pooled sample stratified by sex. Men (10.4%) were significantly more likely than women (5.4%) to report weight gain attempts (p < .001). Nearly one in five (17.1%) men with a BMI in the "normal" range (≥18.5 to <25.0) reported weight gain attempts. Among both men and women, minority group identity was associated with higher odds, while older age and higher BMI category were associated with lower odds, of reporting weight gain attempts. Country differences over the two survey years showed the prevalence of weight gain attempts in 2019 (vs. 2018) was higher among women in Australia (p < .05) and men in the United States (p < .01). Weight gain attempts are more common among men, compared to women, across five countries, potentially reflecting the global salience of the pursuit of a muscular body.

Associations Between Perceived Weight Status and Allostatic Load Among Adolescents

Explain the relationship between allostatic load and weight perception of adolescents at a healthy weight and overweight status. Adolescence is a critical time in growth and development which can influence one’s perception of body image. Particularly, body dissatisfaction is a potential stressor among adolescents. Allostatic load is a useful tool to assess the impact of perceived stress on health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between allostatic load and weight perception among healthy weight and overweight adolescents. A sample of 896 adolescents ages 12-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018 was stratified by weight status. Allostatic load was calculated based on biomarkers representing cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems. Accuracy of weight perception was assessed using a question regarding weight perception and coding it as either accurate or inaccurate based on self-reported weight. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between allostatic load and accuracy of perceived weight status while adjusting for confounders. Allostatic load scores did not differ by weight perception in adolescents at a healthy weight (accurate perception μ =1.32; inaccurate perception μ=1.20; p=0.76). Those who accurately perceived their weight as overweight or obese had significantly higher allostatic load scores than those who inaccurately perceived their weight (μ=3.35, μ=2.69, respectively; ß=-0.67 SE=0.20, p<0.01). Among overweight or obese adolescents, those who accurately assess their weight status had higher levels of cardiovascular, metabolic and immune stress. Further research is needed to understand if allostatic load is associated with stress related to perceived weight bias.

Dietary Patterns, Weight Perception and Obesity Status, among 10-12-Year-Old Children; an Epidemiological Study in Greece.

Adherence to certain dietary patterns influences obesity status in both children and adults. Weight perception influences dietary habits. The aim of this study was to examine children’s dietary habits and obesity status, in relation to weight perception. One thousand seven hundred Greek students enrolled in this study during 2014–2016. Children’s characteristics were assessed through validated questionnaires, and weight status was classified according to the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Dietary patterns were assessed through exploratory factor analysis. Overall, 52.2% of children characterized themselves as normal weight, 34.5% as low weight, and 13.3% as overweight/obese; 52.5% of children were in accordance with their actual weight status, with girls being more likely to overestimate their weight. Children followed three dietary patterns, i.e., starchy and protein foods, unhealthy/high-fat foods, and healthy foods. Children who followed the healthy dietary pattern and had accurate weight perception (in accordance with their actual weight), had lower odds of being overweight/obese (p < 0.001). Accurate weight perception in conjunction with healthy dietary habits may play a determinant role in the prevention of obesity. From a public health perspective, early identification of children’s weight misperception along with healthy dietary habit promotion shape a crucial role in childhood obesity confrontation.

Overestimation of body weight and its association with parental, teacher and peer support: evidence from the Israeli Health Behaviours in Schools survey.

To investigate the association between family, teachers and peer support patterns on gaps in adolescent's weight perceptions. A cross-sectional, school-based survey collected information on weight and height, weight perception, socio-economic and family characteristics and social support. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to capture social support patterns (SSP). Multivariable logistic regression was used to model adolescent weight perception, including SSP adjusted for demographic variables. The 2014 Israeli Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey. Adolescents aged 11-18 years (n 7563). In total, 16·1 % of the boys and 10·7 % of the girls were overweight or obese. Most participants perceived their size accurately. Body size was underestimated by 25·6 % of the boys and 15·1 % of the girls, while 15·2 % of the boys and 27·7 % of the girls overestimated their body size. PCA generated three SSP accounting for 81·9 % of the variance in social support. Female sex and higher SES increased odds of overestimating body size. Students in the top quartile (Q4 v. Q1-Q3) of family support and teacher support were less likely to overestimate their body size. Good parental communication reduced the odds of body size overestimation in middle school students. Male sex and higher family support increased odds of underestimation. Significant support from parents and teachers was associated with accurate weight perceptions; thus, support skills may be amenable to intervention. Efforts should be made to educate adolescents on healthy weight.

Weight Perception Measured by Verbal Descriptions and Visual Descriptions: Which Measurement Correlates with Weight Loss Intentions among Female Nursing Students?

Background: Young females tend to overestimate their weight status, which might induce unhealthy weight loss intentions and behaviours. This study aimed to examine weight perception measured by visual and verbal descriptions and its correlation with weight loss intentions among female nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 female nursing students from four medical colleges in Shanghai, China. The participants rated perceptions of their weight by selecting a silhouette from the female Photographic Figure Rating Scale (PFRS) and one of the following verbal descriptions: “very underweight”, “slightly underweight”, “normal”, “overweight” or “obese”. Weight loss intentions were measured using the question “How often do you want to lose weight?”. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Data were analysed using univariate and ordinal logistic regression analyses. Results: The accuracy of weight perceptions measured by verbal descriptions and visual descriptions was 44.50% and 55%, respectively. In females with underweight BMI (n = 135), 88.15% and 49.63% accurately classified their weight using visual descriptions and verbal descriptions, respectively. These females were more likely to overestimate (53.83% vs. 14.50%) and less likely to underestimate (1.67% vs. 30.50%) their weight when using verbal descriptions than when using visual descriptions. For verbal descriptions, weight overestimation was associated with weight loss intentions (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.60). However, for visual descriptions, the two variables were not associated. Conclusions: A mismatch occurred between weight perceptions measured by the two methods and BMI status among female nursing students. Compared with verbal descriptions, visual descriptions had higher weight perception accuracy. However, weight overestimation measured by verbal descriptions was more likely to be associated with stronger intentions to lose weight than that of visual descriptions. These findings suggest that methodological discrepancies should be taken into account when measuring weight perception in future studies.