Actual and perceived weight status and its association with slimming and energy-balance related behaviours in 10- to 12-year-old European children: the ENERGY-project

Associations Between Weight-Loss Attempts, Weight-Related Stress, and Body Image During Childhood and Adolescence in Children With Parental Obesity

Background: Few longitudinal studies have investigated the role of weight-loss attempts or weight-related stress on body image during childhood. We examined whether weight-loss attempts and weight-related stress are associated with weight misperception and body dissatisfaction across childhood and adolescence. Methods: Data were drawn from the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth (QUALITY) cohort of Canadian children with parental obesity (8-10 years: n = 630; 10-12 years: n = 564; 15-17 years: n = 377). We assessed weight-loss attempts and weight-related stress at baseline and first follow-up, and perceived and desired silhouettes at first and second follow-up with questionnaires. Weight misperception consisted of the difference in BMI z-score (zBMI) from the perceived silhouette and the measured zBMI. Body dissatisfaction consisted of the discordance between perceived and desired silhouettes. We estimated multivariable mixed-effects regression models adjusting for age, sex, pubertal stage, parental BMI and education, and sport-based teasing. Results: Weight loss attempts were associated with a higher weight misperception score (ever tried, beta [95% confidence intervals; CI]: 0.13 [0.01-0.24]) and with 2.13 times higher desire to be thinner (95% CI: 1.39-3.26) at the subsequent follow-up. Similarly, children stressed by their weight had a higher misperception score (beta [95% CI]: 0.15 [0.02-0.27]) and greater desire to be thinner at the next follow-up (odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.73 [0.999-3.00]). Conclusions: Weight-loss attempts and weight-related stress in children and adolescents are associated with weight misperception and body dissatisfaction, supporting empowerment and counseling focusing on healthy eating behaviors and a positive body image. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03356262.

Parental Misperceptions of Their Offspring's Weight and Their Strategies for Child's Eating Behavior: A Narrative Review of the Recent Evidence

The aim of the present review was to explore the effect of parental misperceptions of their offspring’s weight status during childhood and early adolescence on weight control strategies and children’s eating behavior. Literature searching was limited to the PubMed database and to the English language from January 2000 to August 2022. Eligible studies had clearly associated parental misperception of offspring’s weight with child eating habits or weight management and eating strategies in childhood to early adolescence. Sixteen studies (14 cross-sectional, 1 longitudinal and 1 with cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses) were included in the analysis. Weight loss attempts and child’s eating behavior were the main outcomes. Sixteen studies found significant associations. Parental misperceptions of their offspring’s weight status do influence their child’s weight and eating behavior, especially in overweight children. Parents tend to follow potentially harmful methods when they overestimate their children’s weight (food restriction) and when they underestimate their children’s weight (pressure to eat). However, additional longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the impact of parental weight status perception on health behaviors and children’s weight gain over time. The potential need for preventive intervention studies is warranted.

Role of anthropometric factors, self-perception, and diet on weight misperception among young adolescents: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Adolescence overweight and obesity have increased considerably, and the misperception of their weight status could reduce the efficiency of intervention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of misperception and to assess the relationship between weight perception and anthropometric parameters, self-perception, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

METHODS

A total of 1643 young adolescents (11-16 years old) were surveyed in a cross-sectional investigation during two scholastic years (period October-May of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014) in 15 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Data on demographic information, anthropometric characteristics (bioelectrical impedance), physical activity level, The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile, weight perception, and dietary habits (KIDMED) were collected.

RESULTS

Misperception was found in the 27.6 % of the young adolescents, and boys were more likely to underestimate their weight status, while girls had a high percentage of overestimation. The strong association with weight misperception was with socioeconomic status, waist circumference, physical activities, and physical self-worth. Moreover, a good adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with both overestimation and underestimation in both boys and girls.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight that almost one-third of the participants had a weight misperception that was associated with several anthropometric, social, and lifestyle factors. Future intervention to prevent overweight and obesity should consider not only gender-specific differences, but also parental SES, perception, and satisfaction of body weight status.