Abstract
Objective
To describe the accuracy of weight perceptions in a nationally representative sample
of US 8th graders, its relationship with weight control intentions (WCI), and the
relationship of weight misperceptions and WCI with diet and activity behaviors.
Methods
Data analyzed came from the 8th grade wave (2006–2007) of the Early Childhood Longitudinal
Study–Kindergarten Class, a nationally representative sample. Body mass index was
calculated from height and weight measurements for 7800 8th graders (mean age 14.3
years). Measured weight status was categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight,
and obese using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's age- and sex-specific
growth charts. Self-reported weight status was compared with measured weight status
to classify adolescents into accurate perceivers, overestimators, and underestimators.
Multivariate logistic and negative binomial regression models were estimated for binary
and count data outcome variables, respectively.
Results
Overall, 42.1% of adolescents misperceived their weight status: 35.3% underestimated
and 6.8% overestimated their weight status. Among overweight or obese adolescents,
68.4% misperceived their weight status; 35% of underweight adolescents overestimated
their weight status. Among normal-weight adolescents, 8.5% overestimated and 18.5%
underestimated their weight. Compared to accurate perception, both overestimation
and underestimation of weight status were associated with greater likelihood of inappropriate
WCI, but only underestimation was associated with unhealthy diet and activity behaviors.
Conclusions
Weight misperception was a common problem among US adolescents from all weight categories
and was associated with inappropriate WCI. Future research should examine how adolescents'
weight perceptions are formed and whether reducing misperceptions may improve behaviors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 22, 2015
Accepted:
June 1,
2015
Received:
January 22,
2015
Footnotes
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
