Body Mass Index and Body Weight Perception among a Population of Female Adolescents

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is associated with many physical changes, it is described as a period when body weight changes and is likely to become worrying for many adolescents.
 AIM: This study aims to evaluate associations between body weight perception and body mass index (BMI) among a population of female adolescents.
 METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from February to May 2017 among 12–19 years olds adolescents (n = 415) from high and middle school. BMI for age percentiles was calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus. Body weight perception was determined using an anonymous questionnaire.
 RESULTS: The prevalence of misconception of body weight was 60%. The prevalence of misconception was positively associated with the participants age (p < 0.001), the occurrence of menarche (p < 0.05), the increasing of BMI (p < 0.001), and with habits diet satisfaction (p < 0.05). Overweighed participants and who’s with normal weight were more likely to perceive their weight incorrectly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, approximately 2.9% of participants underestimated their true body weight and 57.1% overestimated their weight. However, all participants with underweight had correctly perceived their body weight. Logistic regression showed that predictor factors of misconception weight were participant’s age and BMI.
 CONCLUSION: It is recommended to improve healthy programs in schools aimed at preventing body weight perception and eating problems among adolescents.