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Body Weight Misperception and Its Association with Unhealthy Eating Behaviors among Adolescents in China

Author

Listed:
  • Hanyi Yan

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Yingru Wu

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Theresa Oniffrey

    (Cerus Consulting, LLC, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Jason Brinkley

    (Abt Associates, Durham, NC 27703, USA)

  • Rui Zhang

    (College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Xinge Zhang

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Yueqiao Wang

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Guoxun Chen

    (Department of Nutrition, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Rui Li

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Justin B. Moore

    (Department of Family & Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
    Department of Epidemiology & Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
    Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA)

Abstract

This study aims to examine associations between body weight misperception and eating behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Students ( N = 2641) from a middle school and a high school in Wuhan, China participated in a cross-sectional study in May 2016. A questionnaire based on the World Health Organization’s Global School-Based Student Health Survey was employed to assess responses. Self-reported data, including weight, height, body weight perception, and eating habits, were collected. Body Mass Index (BMI) for age z-score was calculated from self-reported height and weight using WHO AnthroPlus. We used descriptive, logistic regression analysis and a Kappa test to analyze the data using SPSS. Overall, 56.6% of participants did not correctly categorize their weight status; these were much more likely to be girls. Compared with the correctly-perceived group, those who underestimated their weight tended to report eating late at night, having dinners with family, and checking nutrition labels. In contrast, weight overestimating students were less likely to report eating late at night, having breakfasts with family, having dinners with family, and discussing nutrition topics over meals. Body weight misperception was associated with unhealthy eating behaviors among Chinese adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanyi Yan & Yingru Wu & Theresa Oniffrey & Jason Brinkley & Rui Zhang & Xinge Zhang & Yueqiao Wang & Guoxun Chen & Rui Li & Justin B. Moore, 2018. "Body Weight Misperception and Its Association with Unhealthy Eating Behaviors among Adolescents in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:936-:d:145072
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Lanjie & Zhang, Xuan & Kim, Seonghoon & Koh, Kanghyock, 2024. "Weight perception and weight management via information nudges," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 332-353.
    2. Francesco Napolitano & Francesco Bencivenga & Erika Pompili & Italo Francesco Angelillo, 2019. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors toward Eating Disorders among Adolescents in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-11, April.

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