Association between distorted body image and changes in weight status among normal weight preadolescents in Japan: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundDistorted body image may be important risk factors for being underweight and overweight. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between having a distorted body image and being overweight or underweight among normal weight preadolescents in a population-based cohort study in Japan for each sex.MethodsThe study participants were 1431 normal weight fourth-grade students (age range: 9–10 years) in Ina town, Japan from 2002 to 2007. The height and weight of each student were measured while they were in the fourth grade (at baseline) and seventh grade (3 years later). Childhood underweight and overweight were defined using the body mass index cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Information regarding the self-perceived weight status of each student at baseline was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Children who were normal weight but perceived themselves as heavy or thin were regarded as having a distorted body images. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) for being overweight or underweight 3 years later among those having a distorted body image at baseline.ResultsBoth boys and girls who perceived themselves to be heavy at baseline were at a statistically significantly greater risk of being overweight 3 years later as compared to boys and girls, respectively, who identified as being at a normal weight at baseline (boys: adjusted OR: 4.66, 95 % CI: 1.01–21.48; girls: 3.88, 1.56–9.65). Both boys and girls who perceived oneself to be thin at baseline were at a statistically significantly greater risk of bring underweight 3 years later as compared to boys and girls, respectively, who identified as being at a normal weight at baseline (boys: 5.51, 2.20–13.80; girls: 2.93, 1.40–6.11).ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that having a distorted body image in preadolescence is associated with being overweight or underweight in adolescence, among boys and girls, separately. Therefore, education regarding self-perceived weight could be important to help prevent underweight and overweight/obesity among preadolescent boys and girls in Japan.

Relationship Between Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Parental Marital Status in Female Adolescents

“…This finding is consistent with the results of the studies [25,27]. Similarly, our results are compatible with the results of the studies [23,26] published previously. Our findings are also consistent with the study [24], which reported that weight-related anxiety is predictive for unhealthy eating attitudes.…”

“…Furthermore, the "distorted body image" concept was regarded as "perception of the self as heavy or thin while presenting with a normal weight." Results of the involving study suggested that a distorted body image during preadolescence is associated with being overweight or underweight in the following years [23]. It was reported that disordered eating was positively associated with the internalization of the thin ideal, weight-related anxiety and negatively associated with body image satisfaction.…”

Incidence of childhood overweight and obesity and its association with weight-related attitudes and behaviors in China: a national longitudinal study

“…Normal-weight children with overweight perception had increased risk of overweight/obesity. This finding is consistent with prior findings [ 12 , 13 , 28 ]. However, we should note that these children actually had less weight gain than their counterparts.…”

Five-year change in body mass index category of childhood and the establishment of an obesity prediction model

“…Personalized interventions in high-risk primary school children may effectively reduce the incidence of obesity during puberty and adulthood, and some cohort studies on adolescent obesity have also confirmed this view. 17 – 19 Preventive and proactive interventions would likely be highly cost-effective.…”