Parental and offspring factors in offspring's weight-loss efforts

Weight loss trends in Korean adolescents (2005-2021): Exploring the impact of measured and self-perceived weight status

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the trends in the proportions of weight loss efforts among Korean adolescents aged 10-18 years from 2005 to 2021, examining variations based on weight status, to examine factors related to weight loss efforts by weight status, and to evaluate weight loss efforts based on the combination of measured and self-perceived weight status.

METHODS

Complex sample design analyses were conducted on a dataset comprising 10,760 adolescents, utilizing information from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative dataset. Participants were categorized into non-overweight and overweight groups using a BMI percentile threshold of 85.

RESULTS

22-29 % of non-overweight adolescents and 54-77 % of adolescents with overweight engaged in weight loss efforts. Among adolescents who attempted to lose weight from 2005 to 2017, 39.5-57.1 % tried both of diet and exercise, 22.7-47.4 % tried exercise alone, and 10.2-26.7 % tried diet alone. Female gender, older age, and higher self-perceived weight status were associated with increased odds of weight loss efforts, irrespective of actual weight status. For adolescents perceiving themselves as obese, the odds of attempting weight loss were 8.32 for non-overweight boys, 2.02 for non-overweight girls, 15.28 for overweight boys, and 5.77 for overweight girls compared to controls who were non-overweight and perceived themselves as not obese.

CONCLUSION

Weight loss efforts among Korean adolescents aged 10 to 18 remained consistent irrespective of their actual weight over 16 years. Throughout this period, adolescents who perceived themselves as obese were more likely to attempt weight loss, independent of their true weight status. Hence, subjective weight perception plays a significant role in influencing weight loss behaviors among adolescents.

Estimation of weight status and weight-loss efforts in Korean adults with non-obesity considering metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE

To examine whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to estimation of weight status and weight-loss efforts in Korean adults with non-obesity.

METHODS

In 4345 men and 6387 women in non-obese Koreans (age 49.2 ± 16.7 years, BMI < 25 kg/m²) participating in the 2011-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the presence/absence of MetS using the harmonized criteria, and weight perception and weight-loss efforts using questionnaires were assessed. Estimation of weight status was determined as underestimation, correct estimation, and overestimation based on differences between perceived weight categories and BMI-based categories.

RESULTS

15.7% in men and 12.6% in women with BMI < 25 kg/m² had the MetS. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, and BMI-based categories, correct estimation and overestimation of weight status in men [odds ratio (95% CI), 1.58 (1.29-1.92); 2.82 (1.48-5.38)], and women [1.53 (1.26-1.86); 1.59 (1.09-2.31)] were positively associated with the presence of MetS compared to those with underestimation of weight status. After adjusting for weight estimation, sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, weight-loss efforts were positively associated with the presence of MetS [1.66 (1.33-2.08) in men, 1.31 (1.07-1.61) in women] in all subjects, and number of MetS components [1.28 (1.02-1.62) per 1 more component] in those with MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

In non-obese individuals, correct estimation and overestimation of weight status may be more likely to identify individuals with MetS and concurrent MetS may increase weight-loss efforts regardless of weight estimation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, evidence obtained from a case-control observational study.