Title
Contributions of weight perceptions to weight loss attempts: differences by body mass index and gender
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Publication Date
2009-02-04
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adult; *Body Image; Body Mass Index; *Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; *Motor Activity; Obesity; Self Concept; Sex Factors; *Weight Loss
Disciplines
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities | Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Preventive Medicine
Abstract
Previous studies have consistently observed that women are more likely to perceive themselves as overweight compared to men. Similarly, women are more likely than men to report trying to lose weight. Less is known about the impact that self-perceived weight has on weight loss behaviors of adults and whether this association differs by gender. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among an employee sample (n=899) to determine the association of self-perceived weight on evidence-based weight loss behaviors across genders, accounting for body mass index (BMI) and demographic characteristics. Women were more likely than men to consider themselves to be overweight across each BMI category, and were more likely to report attempting to lose weight. However, perceiving oneself to be overweight was a strong correlate for weight loss attempts across both genders. The effect of targeting accuracy of self-perceived weight status in weight loss interventions deserves research attention.
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.11.004
Source
Body Image. 2009 Mar;6(2):90-6. Epub 2009 Feb 1. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Body image
Related Resources
PubMed ID
19188102
Repository Citation
Lemon SC, Rosal MC, Zapka J, Borg A, Andersen VA. (2009). Contributions of weight perceptions to weight loss attempts: differences by body mass index and gender. Preventive and Behavioral Medicine Publications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.11.004. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/prevbeh_pp/71