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Estimation of weight status and weight-loss efforts in Korean adults with non-obesity considering metabolic syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to estimation of weight status and weight-loss efforts in Korean adults with non-obesity.

Methods

In 4345 men and 6387 women in non-obese Koreans (age 49.2 ± 16.7 years, BMI < 25 kg/m2) participating in the 2011–2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the presence/absence of MetS using the harmonized criteria, and weight perception and weight-loss efforts using questionnaires were assessed. Estimation of weight status was determined as underestimation, correct estimation, and overestimation based on differences between perceived weight categories and BMI-based categories.

Results

15.7% in men and 12.6% in women with BMI < 25 kg/m2 had the MetS. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, and BMI-based categories, correct estimation and overestimation of weight status in men [odds ratio (95% CI), 1.58 (1.29–1.92); 2.82 (1.48–5.38)], and women [1.53 (1.26–1.86); 1.59 (1.09–2.31)] were positively associated with the presence of MetS compared to those with underestimation of weight status. After adjusting for weight estimation, sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, weight-loss efforts were positively associated with the presence of MetS [1.66 (1.33–2.08) in men, 1.31 (1.07–1.61) in women] in all subjects, and number of MetS components [1.28 (1.02–1.62) per 1 more component] in those with MetS.

Conclusions

In non-obese individuals, correct estimation and overestimation of weight status may be more likely to identify individuals with MetS and concurrent MetS may increase weight-loss efforts regardless of weight estimation.

Level of evidence

Level III, evidence obtained from a case–control observational study.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Resarch Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2017S1A5B8066096).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, 75, Bokji-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea

    Kayoung Lee

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Correspondence to Kayoung Lee.

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Conflict of interest

This work was supported by the National Rsearch Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2017S1A5B8066096).

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

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

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Lee, K. Estimation of weight status and weight-loss efforts in Korean adults with non-obesity considering metabolic syndrome. Eat Weight Disord 24, 135–142 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0484-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0484-3

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