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Self-perception of body weight status in older Dutch adults

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Introduction: Objectives

The prevalence of obesity is highest in older persons and a correct self-perception of body weight status is necessary for optimal weight control. The aim of this study was to determine self-perception of, and satisfaction with, body weight status, and to compare current versus ideal body image in a large, nationally representative sample of older people. Furthermore, determinants of misperception were explored.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), conducted in a population-based sample in the Netherlands.

Participants

1295 men and women aged 60–96 years.

Measurements

Body weight status was assessed using measured weight and height. Self-perceived body weight status, satisfaction with body weight and current and ideal body image were also assessed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of age, educational level and objectively measured BMI with underestimation of body weight status.

Results

The prevalence of obesity was 19.9% in men and 29.3% in women. The agreement between objective and self-perceived body weight status was low (Kappa < 0.2). Among overweight and obese persons, 42.1% of men and 44.1% of women were (very) dissatisfied with their body weight status and >99% of obese participants desired to be thinner (ideal body image < current image). Only 4.4% of obese men and 12.3% of obese women perceived their body weight status correctly. Higher age (women), lower educational level (men) and higher BMI (all) were associated with greater underestimation of body weight status.

Conclusion

Many older persons misperceive their body weight status. Future actions to improve body weight perception in older persons are necessary to increase the impact of public health campaigns focussing on a healthy body weight in old age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Celia Monteagudo Sánchez, S. C. Dijkstra & M. Visser

  2. Research Group “Nutrition, Diet and Risk Assessment” (AGR-255), Department Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Celia Monteagudo Sánchez

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. Visser

  4. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Celia Monteagudo Sánchez

Authors
  1. Celia Monteagudo Sánchez
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  2. S. C. Dijkstra
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  3. M. Visser
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Correspondence to Celia Monteagudo Sánchez.

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Monteagudo Sánchez, C., Dijkstra, S.C. & Visser, M. Self-perception of body weight status in older Dutch adults. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 612–618 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0486-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0486-z

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