Weight Perception Research Articles

The effect of pleasurable emotions on weight perception.

Based on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and embodied cognition theory, this study explored the effects of two different forms of pleasure on the perception of object weight through two experiments. Experiment 1 induced pleasure by having participants watch a funny video and further investigated the effect of pleasure on weight perception. The results showed that the weight estimation of the pleasure group participants was significantly lower than that of the calm group. Experiment 2 induced pleasure through embodied pleasure postures and further investigated the effect of pleasure on weight perception. The results showed that subjects in the embodied pleasure posture group had lighter weight estimates compared to the calm posture and no posture groups. This study suggests that pleasure affects individuals' perception of the weight of objects, and pleasure makes individuals more optimistic in their perception of object weight.

Maternal Perceptions and Feeding Practices Associated with Infant Nutritional Status.

Malnutrition in early childhood has long-term health consequences, including increased obesity risk due to catch-up growth in undernourished infants. While maternal perceptions and feeding practices affect infant malnutrition, limited evidence exists in middle-income countries like Mexico. This study examines the associations between maternal perceptions, feeding practices, and nutritional status in infants aged 6-12 months in northeastern Mexico. A total of 192 mother-infant dyads were assed using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Maternal variables included perception of hunger and satiety, infant weight perception, feeding attitudes, self-efficacy, fatigue, and feeding practices. Infant nutritional status was determined using WHO Anthro, and multiple logistic regression identified associations between maternal and infant factors and nutritional status. 38% of infants were overweight/obese, and 7% were underweight. Low maternal self-efficacy, low perception of hunger and satiety signs, non-recommended feeding attitudes, and inaccurate perception of infant weight were identified. Maternal nocturnal sleep hours, type of feeding, and feeding frequency were associated to underweight. The maternal perception of infant weight was inaccurate for both underweight (mothers overestimate the weight) and overweight/obese (mothers underestimate the weight) infants. The main maternal perception influencing infant nutritional status was inaccurate weight perception. Mothers demonstrated limited knowledge and negative feeding practices with non-recommended feeding practices among Mexican mothers. Longer maternal sleep duration (> 8h/night) was associated with underweight infants.

Influence of habituation on pseudo-haptic weight perception of virtual objects

As the demand for realistic sensations in virtual reality (VR) environments escalates, interfaces that exploit cross-modal interactions between vision and haptics are gaining prominence. Pseudo-haptics, offering a tactile illusion without mechanical feedback devices, has emerged as a viable solution to enhance user immersion by simulating various sensations such as texture, fluid resistance, and weight. However, a potential issue in the long-term effectiveness of these illusions, particularly habituation, where the illusion diminishes after prolonged exposure, remains a concern. This study investigates whether habituation to pseudo-haptic weight illusions occurs with extended use. We conducted quantitative measurements of pseudo-haptic weight perception before and after prolonged exposure. The findings indicate a diminishing effect of pseudo-haptic weight illusion with repeated exposure, particularly among participants with high accuracy in weight perception. This study contributes important insights into the design of VR experiences, highlighting the need to consider the habituation effects when implementing pseudo-haptic illusions for weight perception.

Unmet weight loss targets in real-world clinical practice: weight management and perceptions in China

Unmet weight loss targets in real-world clinical practice: weight management and perceptions in China

Weight control efforts and practices and health professional advice: a cross-sectional national survey in England

ObjectivesThere is evidence that general practitioners (GPs) can increase the uptake of weight management programmes that enhance weight loss compared with self-directed efforts, but the rate at which they do...

From Avatars to Agents: Self-Related Cues Through Embodiment and Personalization Affect Body Perception in Virtual Reality.

Our work investigates the influence of self-related cues in the design of virtual humans on body perception in virtual reality. In a $2\times 2$ mixed design, 64 participants faced photorealistic virtual humans either as a motion-synchronized embodied avatar or as an autonomous moving agent, appearing subsequently with a personalized and generic texture. Our results unveil that self-related cues through embodiment and personalization yield an individual and complemented increase in participants' sense of embodiment and self-identification towards the virtual human. Different body weight modification and estimation tasks further showed an impact of both factors on participants' body weight perception. Additional analyses revealed that the participant's body mass index predicted body weight estimations in all conditions and that participants' self-esteem and body shape concerns correlated with different body weight perception results. Hence, we have demonstrated the occurrence of double standards through induced self-related cues in virtual human perception, especially through embodiment.

Parental Feeding Practices, Weight Perception, and Children's Appetitive Traits Are Associated with Weight Trajectories in Preschoolers: A Longitudinal Study in China.

This study aimed to examine the trajectories of body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) in preschoolers and its association with parental feeding practices, weight perception, and children's appetitive traits. A total of 433 preschoolers and their parents from eight public kindergartens in Shanghai were assessed annually over two years. A group-based trajectory model was employed to identify distinct BAZ patterns. Logistic regression was utilized to investigate the baseline factors associated with the BAZ trajectories. Three distinct BAZ trajectories were identified among the preschoolers: "low-stable group" (n = 154, 37.3%), "moderate-stable group" (n = 214, 47.3%), and "progressive overweight and obesity group" (n = 65, 15.4%). The children perceived as overweight and obese by parents (OR = 10.57, 95% CI: 4.89-22.86), and those with lower satiety responsiveness at baseline (OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.76-0.97) were more likely to fall into the progressive overweight and obesity group as opposed to the moderate-stable group. Conversely, the children perceived as underweight by parents (OR = 457, 95%CI: 2.71-7.70) had a higher likelihood of being in the low-stable group rather than the moderate-stable group. This study unveiled three unique body weight trajectories among preschool children. Parental perception of children's weight and lower satiety responsiveness were associated with preschoolers' subsequent weight change, while parental feeding practices were not associated.

Association Between Maternal Weight Perception Before and During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression Status in Southern China.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common complication after childbirth. Weight misperception can lead to self-esteem issues and mental health problems, especially in women and adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between weight perception before and during pregnancy and the status of PPD in Southern China. From October 2021 to November 2023, a multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit 2169 eligible mothers aged 18-49 who had delivered live-born singleton infants within 3 to 180 days postpartum. Anthropometric measurements and face-to-face questionnaire surveys were conducted to collect data. The Kappa test was used to assess the agreement between actual and perceived weight. The generalized linear model incorporating multiplicative interaction analysis was applied to explore the associations among variables. The prevalence of PPD status was 18.0%. Among women, 35.2% perceived their pre-pregnancy weight (PPW) as abnormal, while 33.1% perceived their gestational weight gain (GWG) as inappropriate. There was poor agreement between maternal actual and perceived PPW/GWG (Kappa = 0.366, p < 0.001; Kappa = 0.188, p < 0.001), with 27.8% of women misperceiving their PPW and 52.1% misperceiving their GWG. The results of the general linear model indicated that women who perceived their PPW as underweight (β = 0.70, p = 0.016) or overweight/obese (β = 0.86, p < 0.001), as well as those who perceived their GWG as excessive (β = 0.47, p = 0.028) were more likely to exhibit PPD status. The interaction analysis results showed that those who perceived their PPW as underweight and their GWG as insufficient (β = 1.75, p = 0.020), as well as those who perceived their PPW as overweight/obese and their GWG as excessive (β = 0.90, p = 0.001) had a positive interactive effect on the occurrence of PPD status, while underestimating PPW and GWG may be a protective factor against PPD status (β = -1.03, p = 0.037). These findings support that maternal weight perception plays a role in the development of PPD status. Further improvement is needed in personalized health education for weight management, both prior to and throughout the pregnancy period. This can help women reduce weight anxiety, better understand their body image, and potentially lower the risk of developing PPD.

Youth Health Trends in Northern Portugal: Analyzing Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Image

(1) Background: In the face of global concerns regarding unhealthy lifestyles among youths, understanding dietary habits, physical activity, and weight management strategies among third-cycle students in Portugal becomes essential. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which middle school students adhere to the Mediterranean diet and assess their physical activity habits and overall weight perceptions. (2) Methods: This study is a cross-sectional observational study. Using self-reported data from a sample of 232 students aged between 12 and 18, this study delved into their dietary patterns, engagement in physical activities, perceptions of weight, and weight management approaches, measured by the KIDMED and YRB questionnaires. (3) The results demonstrated that adolescents engaged in a varied diet, and 65.5% had recently engaged in physical activity. However, 25% reported exercise-related injuries, suggesting potential safety gaps. Extreme weight management practices were minimal, but a disparity in weight perception and weight loss desire emerged, hinting at underlying societal and media influences. Gender differences in certain habits were minimal. (4) Conclusions: While students were generally inclined towards healthy habits, there are evident areas of concern, particularly regarding safety in physical activities and weight perceptions. In the future, interventions should be implemented to increase students’ literacy and raise awareness of the Mediterranean diet and physical well-being.

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 &amp;lt; 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 &amp;lt; 0.001, OR: 4.56, CI: 4.16-4.98), among those aged 15-44 compared to those aged 45 and over (p &amp;lt; 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 &amp;lt; 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.

Association between weight perception and perceived stress among Korean adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Although several studies showed a correlation between weight perception and depression, the association between weight perception and perceived stress is unclear. This study explored this association using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with 37,022 participants. Participants were grouped based on how they perceived their body versus real body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference: accurate, underperception, or overperception. Stress was assessed through a questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was performed, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was presented. The results showed a correlation between overperception and higher perceived stress. This correlation was especially apparent in women with significant OR and 95% CIs of 1.15 (1.07–1.23) for BMI and 1.15 (1.07–1.23) for waist circumference. In the subgroup analysis according to the real obese status, all misperceptions were associated with higher perceived stress in normal participants. In comparison, underperception showed a correlation with lower perceived stress in obese participants. The results suggest weight perception as a potential marker for many stress-related diseases and an important factor in treating mental disorders. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between stress and weight perception.

Instilling the perception of weight in augmented reality using minimal haptic feedback

Humans perceive gravitational forces on their surroundings through a mix of visual and sensorimotor cues. The accurate presentation of such cues is a difficult task in Mixed/Augmented Reality (MR/AR), technological paradigms that blend physical and virtual elements to enhance the way we interact with our environment. Realistically perceiving the weight of virtual elements within a MR/AR scenario aids in the embodiment of those elements within the user’s reality, further blurring the lines between what is real and virtual. Unfortunately, current force feedback devices are not designed for or are entirely compatible with MR/AR experiences. To address this need, we explore minimal haptic feedback for weight perception in MR/AR, aiming to simplify the rendering of gravitational cues that are crucial to an immersive experience. Our benchtop device, focused on wrist feedback, showed improved user experience even within an implicit weight feedback task, i.e., a task where weight perception was not required for task completion. However, challenges arose in mixed real-virtual environments, a cornerstone of MR/AR interaction, where weight discrimination was observed to be less accurate. To address this, we developed a compensation scheme for virtual weights, leading to performance on par with a purely virtual environment. Our work demonstrates the viability of minimal haptic feedback in MR/AR applications and highlights the importance of integrating weight perception for increased realism. Our work also fills a research gap in MR/AR development, providing insights for designing future MR/AR systems that integrate with human sensory mechanisms to create virtual interactions that more closely mirror the physical world.

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.

Middle-aged Central American men’s perceptions of a healthy body weight, excess body weight and its relationship to chronic disease: Qualitative findings

Objective: To explore Central American men’s perceptions of healthy body weight, factors that influence weight gain and increase awareness of being overweight/obese, consequences of excess weight gain and gender similarities and differences in body weight. Design: In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with low-income, overweight or obese Central American men residing in the USA ( n = 25). Setting: Semi-structured, individual interviews (via Zoom or phone call) were conducted in Washington, DC in 2020–2021. Methods: Participants discussed their thoughts on the meaning of healthy weight; the role that weight management plays in the likelihood of getting diseases such as diabetes, cancer or hypertension; and whether having a healthy weight is different for men and women. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed to identify themes using NVivo v12. Results: Participants were first-generation immigrants (mean age 50.9 ± 6.4) and had resided in the USA for 23.7 ± 10.2 years. They defined healthy weight as having the energy to carry on daily activities, not carrying extra body fat, being in good physical health, and having a balance between height and weight. Participants discussed having an unbalanced diet, not engaging in physical activity and getting older influenced weight gain. Factors that raised awareness of their weight gain included doctors’ advice and cognisance of their current body weight. Participants in the study discussed the connection between weight status and some chronic diseases (i.e. cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 virus infection); cancer was the least discussed. Participants discussed that both men and women should have a healthy weight and contributing factors to why men weigh more than women. Conclusion: Health promotion interventions for Central American immigrant men should consider framing weight management as a means to continue fulfilling important social and cultural roles and responsibilities. Future research should examine Central American men’s perceptions of weight management as part of cancer prevention.

Evaluation of Body Weight Perception Using Body Size Guides

Objective: The search for new approaches in the fight against obesity has resulted in the idea of examining the characteristics of body weight perception. The aim of this study was to determine individuals’ body weight perceptions and to observe the association between such perceptions and their socio-demographic characteristics and weight loss-oriented behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Body Size Guide and the Body Weight Attitude and Behavior Questionnaire to assess body weight perception among participants. We assessed the frequency of accurate, under- or over-perception of participants’ own body weights and their association with socio-demographic characteristics Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, Student’s t-tests, and one-way ANOVA to determine associations between weight perception and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Of the 283 participants, 50.2% (142) exhibited inaccurate body weight perception (IBWP). Significant associations were found between IBWP and gender, education level, and BMI classification (p

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Conditions and Risk Behaviors Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are preventable, potentially traumatic events occurring before age 18 years. Data on ACEs among adolescents in the United States have primarily been collected through parent report and have not included important violence-related ACEs, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. This report presents the first national prevalence of self-reported ACEs among U.S. high school students aged <18 years, estimates associations between ACEs and 16 health conditions and risk behaviors, and calculates population-attributable fractions of ACEs with these conditions and behaviors using cross-sectional, nationally representative 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Exposures were lifetime prevalence of individual (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; physical neglect; witnessed intimate partner violence; household substance use; household poor mental health; and incarcerated or detained parent or guardian) ACEs and cumulative ACEs count (zero, one, two or three, or four or more). Health conditions and risk behaviors included violence risk factors, substance use, sexual behaviors, weight and weight perceptions, mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Bivariate analyses assessed associations between individual and cumulative ACEs and demographics. Adjusted prevalence ratios assessed associations between cumulative ACEs and health conditions and risk behaviors, accounting for demographics. Population-attributable fractions were calculated to determine the potential reduction in health conditions and risk behaviors associated with preventing ACEs. ACEs were common, with approximately three in four students (76.1%) experiencing one or more ACEs and approximately one in five students (18.5%) experiencing four or more ACEs. The most common ACEs were emotional abuse (61.5%), physical abuse (31.8%), and household poor mental health (28.4%). Students who identified as female; American Indian or Alaska Native; multiracial; or gay or lesbian, bisexual, questioning, or who describe their sexual identity in some other way experienced the highest number of ACEs. Population-attributable fractions associated with experiencing ACEs were highest for suicide attempts (89.4%), seriously considering attempting suicide (85.4%), and prescription opioid misuse (84.3%). ACEs are prevalent among students and contribute substantially to numerous health conditions and risk behaviors in adolescence. Policymakers and public health professionals can use these findings to understand the potential public health impact of ACEs prevention to reduce adolescent suicidal behaviors, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and other negative health conditions and risk behaviors and to understand current effects of ACEs among U.S. high school students.

Weight perception and mental health disorders among adolescents of central-eastern Tunisia: A cross-sectional study.

The physical changes that accompany the onset of puberty demand a constant restructuring of the adolescent's perception of their body and may influence adolescents' mental health. To describe weight status perception and its association with socio-demographic characteristics (SDC) and mental health disorders among adolescents in a low and middle-income country (LMIC). We conducted a cross-sectional study in high schools in the urban area of the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia in 2018. We included in our study all students studying in selected classes in selected public high schools and who are consented to participate. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors to weight perception categories. The total number of students participating was 1399 with a response rate of 86.68%. The female sex was predominant (60.5% versus 39.5%). The mean age was of 17.03 ± 1.51 years. According to multivariate analysis, perceived weight categories were associated with sociodemographic factors such as gender and maternal educational level. Adolescents perceiving themselves as obese were at risk for severe depression (aOR = 0.40; p = 0.033). The BMI was associated with weight misperception: adolescents with normal weight tend to overestimate their weight (obesity aOR = 0.13, p = 0.017; overweight aOR = 0.1, p = 0.001). There was a clear discrepancy between the actual weight status of the teens and their self-perceived weight. Adolescents are still growing both physically and mentally, and forming their self-image. Thus, health promotion practices designed to create accurate perceptions of current body weight need to be part of prevention efforts.

The Role of Mothers’ Varied Parenting Styles in Childhood Obesity

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of mothers' democratic, authoritarian, permissive, and overprotective parenting styles in childhood obesity and mothers' perception of their children's body weight. Method: The research was cross-sectional in design, and a total of 94 children aged between two and six years were included, together with their mothers. Mothers were administered the Parental Attitude Scale, and children's Body Mass Index (BMI) was classified using age- gender-specific tables of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). The effect of mothers' parental attitudes on their children's BMI groups was evaluated. However, mothers matched their child's appearance to the appearance they thought corresponded to the age and gender-specific weight plot and mothers' weight perceptions were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of overweight-obesity among children was found to be 19.2%. There wasn’t statistically difference between democratic, authoritarian, overprotective and permissive parenting styles and BMI categories of children (p=0.819, p=0.878, p=0.319, p=0.494). The mothers of overweight-obese children perceived their children as significantly overweight compared to other children (p

How do adolescents perceive body image and respond to body dissatisfaction?

To assess adolescents' attitudes, satisfaction, and practices regarding their body image across body mass index (BMI) categories. In this cross-sectional survey (2019-2020), we recorded anthropometry of 2,089 girls and boys between 13and 17 years from semi-urban schools in western India.Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) was used for multidimensional attitudinal assessment of body image and weight-related variables. The Stunkard scale was used to assess body shape perception. In higher age categories, boys were more satisfied with their appearance (p=0.012, p linearity=0.001), cared more about grooming (p=0.007, p linearity=0.001), and regarded themselves more physically fit (p=0.003, p linearity 0.030 up to 16 years). Boys with normal BMI were more satisfied with their appearance (p=0.001), fitness (p=0.024), and more alert about symptoms of illness (p<0.000) than others. With increasing BMI, older girls and boys were morepreoccupied with their weight and perceived themselves to be heavier (p=0.001). A majority of underweight girls perceived their weight as normal. Students engaged in weight loss practices irrespective of their BMI category. Boyswanted a bigger, and girls a smaller body shape than their current shape. We found body shape dissatisfaction in66.4 % adolescents, more in boys than in girls (p=0.001). Body shape dissatisfaction is quite common among semiurban adolescents, with boys outnumbering girls. BMI, age, and sex are associated with weight perception and attitude toward body image. Unindicated weight loss practices are prevalent.