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.

Inclusion

Weight perception (BWP) is putting on recognition because an effective determinant out of health designs and you may weight loss techniques certainly one of teens (Ursoniu, Putnoky, Vlaicu, 2011 ). Early in the day research indicates one to kids who are underweight or typical pounds perceive by themselves because obese, consequently increasing their risk of eating http://datingranking.net/xcheaters-review issues, weight problems administration habits and you will despair (Desmond, Price, Grey, Oconnell, 1986 ; Tang ainsi que al., 2010 ). All of our personal adulation having design types of physiques always shown throughout the news and periodicals likely has an effect on these types of below average thinking. In contrast, teens who are over weight commonly don’t perceive by themselves as such as they are unrealistic to apply compliment weight manage behaviours having actual passion (PA) and diet plan (Khambalia, Robust, Bauman, 2012 ; Strauss, 1999 ). This means that you to definitely teens usually misperceive how much they weigh condition, regardless of actuality.

Lbs misperception means the newest discordance anywhere between an individual’s actual weight updates and the feeling from their particular lbs (Duncan ainsi que al., 2011 ). Numerous socio-demographic and ecological activities apply at lbs misperception in the kids such sex, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, socioeconomic position and you may news exposure (Kim Very, 2014 ; ; Perkins, Perkins, Craig, 2010 ). According to a recent study, pounds misperception are an effective predictor off human anatomy dissatisfaction no matter what actual lbs standing (Knowlwa, Ling, Thomas, Adab, McManus, 2015 ). Thus, altered BWP and the body dissatisfaction often leads adolescents to look at substandard lbs control behaviours and purging, fasting and making use of laxatives/diet pills, including reframing out-of keeping good diet and practice activities (Liechty, 2010 ; Tala ). Due to the fact studies show one seen pounds is actually a healthier indicator than just real pounds having forecasting engagement for the compliment weight management (Serdula mais aussi al., 1993 ; Strauss, 1999 ) information and handling of which misperception is helpful in cutting teenage carrying excess fat, actual laziness and dinner issues.

Relationship ranging from weight impact, body mass index, physical exercise, and you may eating options during the Southern California male and female teenagers

With one another overestimation and you may underestimation out-of lbs are with the better health exposure inside the adolescents (Playground, 2011 ), it is very important see the relationships ranging from fat misperception and wellness risk behaviors while the truthfully perceiving your self might have been relevant having motivation to change harmful behaviours (Maximova ainsi que al., 2008 ). Exploring the dating anywhere between BWP, Bmi, PA and you can food choice may possibly provide understanding regarding whether or not the presence of an awful matchmaking between BWP and you will Bmi implies dysmorphia. As the improved adiposity is actually an effective predictor off worst system photo and reasonable care about-value, positive human anatomy image and you will exact BWP get boost areas of muscles image and give a wide berth to one’s threat of being obese (Olive, Byrne, Cunningham, Telford, 2012 ). Ergo, weight misperception is actually an important varying into the being obese reduction and you may treatment getting teenagers.