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Role of anthropometric factors, self-perception, and diet on weight misperception among young adolescents: a cross-sectional study

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Adolescence overweight and obesity have increased considerably, and the misperception of their weight status could reduce the efficiency of intervention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of misperception and to assess the relationship between weight perception and anthropometric parameters, self-perception, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Methods

A total of 1643 young adolescents (11–16 years old) were surveyed in a cross-sectional investigation during two scholastic years (period October–May of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014) in 15 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Data on demographic information, anthropometric characteristics (bioelectrical impedance), physical activity level, The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile, weight perception, and dietary habits (KIDMED) were collected.

Results

Misperception was found in the 27.6 % of the young adolescents, and boys were more likely to underestimate their weight status, while girls had a high percentage of overestimation. The strong association with weight misperception was with socioeconomic status, waist circumference, physical activities, and physical self-worth. Moreover, a good adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with both overestimation and underestimation in both boys and girls.

Conclusion

These findings highlight that almost one-third of the participants had a weight misperception that was associated with several anthropometric, social, and lifestyle factors. Future intervention to prevent overweight and obesity should consider not only gender-specific differences, but also parental SES, perception, and satisfaction of body weight status.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Nutrizione Clinica, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica (DIBIMIS), P. Giaccone Policlinico, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy

    Silvio Buscemi

  2. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Stefano Marventano, Francesca Nolfo, Stefania Rametta, Gabriele Giorgianni, Marina Marranzano & Antonio Mistretta

  3. Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Sabrina Castellano

  4. Department of School Policies, Municipality of Catania, 95131, Catania, CT, Italy

    Margherita Matalone

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  1. Silvio Buscemi
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  2. Stefano Marventano
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  3. Sabrina Castellano
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  4. Francesca Nolfo
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  9. Antonio Mistretta
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Correspondence to Silvio Buscemi.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were approved by the ethics committee of the University of Catania and the Department of School Policies of Catania.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Buscemi, S., Marventano, S., Castellano, S. et al. Role of anthropometric factors, self-perception, and diet on weight misperception among young adolescents: a cross-sectional study. Eat Weight Disord 23, 107–115 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-016-0306-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-016-0306-4

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