ERIC Number: EJ1036839
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Oct
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Body Mass Index Self-Perception and Weight Management Behaviors during Late Adolescence
Yang, Kyeongra; Turk, Melanie T.; Allison, Virginia L.; James, Khara A.; Chasens, Eileen
Journal of School Health, v84 n10 p654-660 Oct 2014
Background: This study examined the relationship between actual body weight and self-perceived weight, and how perception of one's weight affects weight management behaviors among US adolescents. Methods: Adolescents ages 16-19 years with objectively-measured weight and height and self-reported perception of weight, weight-loss efforts, and health-related behaviors (N = 642) from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Sociodemographic variables, body mass index percentile, weight perception, weight-loss efforts, and health-related behaviors were examined using Wald chi-square, Student's t test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression. Results: Approximately 15% were overweight, and 20% were obese; 26% inaccurately perceived their weight. Ethnic minority groups displayed higher rates of overweight and obesity. Overweight adolescents had a higher rate of inaccurate weight perception than obese adolescents. More girls correctly perceived their weight status than boys. Nearly 25% had tried to lose weight during the past year. Among overweight and obese adolescents, accurate weight perception was significantly and positively related to weight-loss efforts after controlling for sociodemographic variables and actual weight. Conclusions: Accurate body weight perception is a significant factor in adolescents' weight-loss efforts. Targeting counseling for body weight perception and weight management toward boys and overweight adolescents may impact obesity in this age group.
Descriptors: Body Weight, Body Composition, Self Concept, Adolescents, Health Behavior, Body Height, Statistical Analysis, Regression (Statistics), Obesity, Minority Groups, Racial Differences, Gender Differences, Correlation, Student Characteristics, National Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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