Understanding the relationship between body weight perception (BWP) and weight control is an important influencer on adolescents’ health behaviours. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between BWP, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and food choices in adolescent males and females (N = 1,212). Across BMI categories, more females perceived themselves as overweight and tried to control their weight, where more males tried to gain weight or never tried to control their weight (p < 0.001). Major reason for weight control was to look better followed by to improve health. Interestingly, adolescents who perceived themselves as thin consumed unhealthier foods (hamburgers and regular soda), where those who perceived themselves as fit and overweight ate healthier foods (salad and vegetables). Results of this study validate that an accurate perception of weight is critical to the success of education and behaviour intervention programs for both overweight and normal weight adolescents.
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Body weight impression (BWP) is gaining detection since the a strong determinant of nutritional habits and you can weight management strategies certainly one of adolescents (Ursoniu, Putnoky, Vlaicu, 2011 ). Past studies have shown you to definitely adolescents that skinny or regular lbs perceive themselves since the heavy, thus broadening its likelihood of food conditions, weight problems management behaviors and you may depression (Desmond, Price, Grey, Oconnell, 1986 ; Tang et al., 2010 ). Our very own societal adulation to possess design sort of physiques usually shown on the media and you may journals probably impacts these unhealthy attitudes. On the other hand, adolescents who are heavy will do not understand themselves as a result and tend to be unlikely to practice fit weight control habits which have actual pastime (PA) and diet plan (Khambalia, Robust, Bauman, 2012 ; Strauss, 1999 ). This means that that adolescents have a tendency to misperceive how much they weigh reputation, despite actual life.
Weight misperception is described as new discordance between your actual lbs condition plus the impression out-of their particular pounds (Duncan ainsi que al., 2011 ). Several socio-demographic and environment items apply at lbs misperception from inside the teens such as for instance intercourse, bmi (BMI), ethnicity, socioeconomic reputation and you can media publicity (Kim So, 2014 ; ; Perkins, Perkins, Craig, 2010 ). Predicated on research conducted recently, pounds misperception is a powerful predictor away from muscles disappointment aside from real lbs condition (Knowlwa, Ling, Thomas, Adab, McManus, 2015 ). Therefore, altered BWP and the body dissatisfaction can lead adolescents to consider unhealthy lbs control behaviours together with purging, smooth and utilizing laxatives/diet pills, including reframing from maintaining proper diet and practice patterns (Liechty, 2010 ; Tala ). Because the research has shown you to thought lbs is actually a healthier indicator than just actual lbs to have forecasting engagement into the healthy weight loss (Serdula mais aussi al., 1993 ; Strauss, 1999 ) wisdom and you may handling of that it misperception is generally useful in reducing adolescent obesity, bodily laziness and you can dining problems.
Relationships between lbs perception BBWCupid, bmi, physical activity, and you can eating solutions for the Southern Ca men and women teenagers
Which have one another overestimation and you will underestimation away from lbs being of the better wellness exposure for the teenagers (Park, 2011 ), it is very important comprehend the interactions ranging from fat misperception and you will wellness chance behaviours because the truthfully perceiving oneself might have been related having motivation to improve hazardous behaviours (Maximova et al., 2008 ). Exploring the matchmaking anywhere between BWP, Body mass index, PA and you will restaurants possibilities may possibly provide insight about whether otherwise perhaps not the clear presence of a negative dating between BWP and you will Body mass index means dysmorphia. Once the improved adiposity try a strong predictor from terrible muscles photo and lower self-admiration, confident body image and specific BWP can get raise regions of body visualize and avoid one’s threat of obesity (Olive, Byrne, Cunningham, Telford, 2012 ). Therefore, lbs misperception are a significant changeable in the carrying excess fat avoidance and you will cures to possess adolescents.
