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Body Image Concerns and Body Weight Overestimation Do Not Promote Healthy Behaviour: Evidence from Adolescents in Lithuania

Author

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  • Rasa Jankauskiene

    (Institute of Sport Science and Innovation, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Migle Baceviciene

    (Department of Health, Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the associations between body image concerns, body weight evaluation, disordered eating, nutrition habits, self-esteem, and physical activity (PA) in a mixed sample of adolescents of both genders. Methods. A total sample of 579 adolescents (299, 51.6% were girls) participated in this study. The participants ranged in age from 14–16 years old ( M = 15.0, SD = 0.4). Respondents provided their answers filling in the questionnaires consisting of a battery of self-report questionnaires. An analysis of covariance was employed to test the hypothesis about the differences in body image concerns in the groups of BMI and body weight estimation controlling for gender. Results. Adolescents with a higher body mass index (BMI) and those overestimating body weight reported a higher body dissatisfaction (BD), a drive for thinness (DT), social physique anxiety (SPA), disordered eating, and lower self-esteem, but there were no differences in PA. Body weight overestimation was more prevalent in girls, yet body weight underestimation was more prevalent in boys. In girls, a higher BMI and body weight overestimation were associated with having less sweets, a lower frequency of having breakfast and for just a lower BMI alone—with consuming less fats, spreads, and oils. In boys, the BMI was associated with consuming less fruits and berries. The boys’ body weight overestimation was related to a lower reported number of meals, a lower frequency of breakfast, and a lower consumption of milk, cheese, yogurt, fats, spreads, and oils. Body dissatisfaction in boys and girls was negatively related to the number of meals, DT is related to a lower breakfast consumption (in girls), SPA was related to a lower nutrition score (in boys), the number of meals (boys and girls), and a lower use of meat and vegetables (boys). Conclusions. Adolescents with a higher BMI and body weight overestimation demonstrated higher body image concerns, lower self-esteem and a poorer eating-related behavioural profile. Body image concerns and body weight overestimation did not promote healthy behaviour in adolescents. It is critical to promote a positive body image, adequate body weight evaluation, self-esteem, and a healthy lifestyle in health promotion and health education programs for adolescents of both genders and different BMIs.

Suggested Citation

  • Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene, 2019. "Body Image Concerns and Body Weight Overestimation Do Not Promote Healthy Behaviour: Evidence from Adolescents in Lithuania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:864-:d:212440
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maoyong Fan & Yanhong Jin, 2015. "The Effects of Weight Perception on Adolescents’ Weight-Loss Intentions and Behaviors: Evidence from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-29, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene & Laima Trinkuniene, 2020. "Examining Body Appreciation and Disordered Eating In Adolescents of Different Sports Practice: Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, June.
    2. David Manzano-Sánchez & María Victoria Palop-Montoro & Milagros Arteaga-Checa & Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela, 2022. "Analysis of Adolescent Physical Activity Levels and Their Relationship with Body Image and Nutritional Habits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene & Simona Pajaujiene & Dana Badau, 2019. "Are Adolescent Body Image Concerns Associated with Health-Compromising Physical Activity Behaviours?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, April.
    4. David Álvarez-García & Andrea Núñez & María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes & José Carlos Núñez, 2019. "Peer Victimization in Overweight Adolescents and Its Effect on Their Self-Esteem and Peer Difficulties," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Anna Dzielska & Magdalena Woynarowska, 2022. "Psychosocial Predictors of Body Weight Congruence in Adolescents Aged 15 and 17 Years in Poland: Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene & Vaiva Balciuniene, 2020. "Validation of the Lithuanian Version of the Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in a Student Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-14, February.
    7. Alessio Gori & Eleonora Topino & Mark D. Griffiths, 2021. "Protective and Risk Factors in Exercise Addiction: A Series of Moderated Mediation Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.

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