The Association between Adolescent’s Weight Perception and Health Behaviors: Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2011–2014

Abstract

The association between adolescents' weight perception and their physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors remains unclear. Therefore, these associations were explored using data from 2438 adolescents aged 12–19 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination 2011–2014 Survey. Respondents reported weight perception, and their weight perception accuracy was determined by examining whether the measured weight and perceived weight were concordant. Respondents also reported sedentary time (sitting time and screen time), PA, and intention to lose weight. Linear and logistic regression models were conducted to determine whether adolescents' PA, sedentary behaviors, and weight loss intention differed by weight perception and weight perception accuracy adjusted for demographic variables accounting for complex sampling. About one-quarter (21.4%) of the respondents had obesity. For respondents who perceived themselves as being overweight/fat, despite greater weight loss intention, males reported more sitting time (512.7 ± 16.3 versus 474.1 ± 10.2 minutes/day, p < 0.05) and females reported less PA (48.7 ± 5.0 versus 64.6 ± 3.3 minutes/day, p < 0.05) than respondents who perceived themselves as being normal weight. Similar patterns were observed for weight perception accuracy among individuals with obesity. Study results show that perceiving oneself as being overweight/fat regardless of accuracy was associated with more sedentary time for males or less PA for females despite higher weight loss intention.

Mediating role of body‐related shame and guilt in the relationship between weight perceptions and lifestyle behaviours

“…While increasing evidence highlights that individuals who perceive themselves as too heavy engage in less physical activity and more sedentary behaviours (such as screen time), 21,28–30 these findings offer unique insights into the potential mechanistic role of self‐conscious emotions. Consistent with theoretical tenants 36 and empirical evidence, 39,41 higher levels of shame were associated with less physical activity.…”

Level of agreement between objectively determined body composition and perceived body image in 6- to 8-year-old South African children: The Body Composition–Isotope Technique study

“…A number of scholars [13][14][15][16][17][18] suggest that compared with body mass index (BMI) and other objective weight measures, body size perception may be a better predictor of behavior change and is associated with better body size management. As such, correct self-assessment of body size is important, and may be the key to the adoption of weight control strategies directed at curbing the escalating obesity epidemic in the country.…”

Community‐level obesity prevention is not associated with dieting behaviours and weight dissatisfaction in children: The Healthy Communities Study

“…Body weight perception, as assessed in the NHANES by participant responses to the question “how do you consider your weight” with response options being “overweight or fat,” “too thin,” and “about the right weight,” is another comparison. In a NHANES sample of 12 to 19 year olds, approximately 25.9% of boys and 32.1% of girls responded as “overweight or fat” or “too thin.” Additional studies are warranted to determine if there are trends in unhealthy (eg, skipping meals) compared with healthy (eg, eating less sweets) approaches to weight management and in dissatisfaction with weight among children.…”

“…Body weight perception, as assessed in the NHANES by participant responses to the question "how do you consider your weight" with response options being "overweight or fat," "too thin," and "about the right weight," is another comparison37 .In a NHANES sample of 12 to 19 year olds, approximately 25.9% of boys and 32.1% of girls responded as "overweight or fat" or "too thin. "38 Additional studies are warranted to determine if there are trends in unhealthy (eg, skipping meals) compared with healthy (eg, eating less sweets) approaches to weight management and in dissatisfaction with weight among children.HCS results should be interpreted with several cautionary limitations. As this study is observational and cross-sectional with assessments of dieting behaviours and body satisfaction at a single point in time, we cannot infer the direction of the relationship nor causality.None of the estimates for measures collected solely in 12-to 15-year old children (trying to lose weight, teased about weight, and skipping meals to lose weight) were significantly related to CPP intensity.…”