Is Accurate Perception of Body Image Associated with Appropriate Weight-Control Behavior among Adolescents of the Seychelles

Abstract EN

Background.

We examined body image perception and its association with reported weight-control behavior among adolescents in the Seychelles.

Methods.

We conducted a school-based survey of 1432 students aging 11–17 years in the Seychelles.

Perception of body image was assessed using both a closed-ended question (CEQ) and Stunkard's pictorial silhouettes (SPS).

Voluntary attempts to change weight were also assessed.

Results.

A substantial proportion of the overweight students did not consider themselves as overweight (SPS: 24%, CEQ: 34%), and a substantial proportion of the normal-weight students considered themselves as too thin (SPS: 29%, CEQ: 15%).

Logistic regression analysis showed that students with an accurate weight perception were more likely to have appropriate weight-control behavior.

Conclusions.

We found that substantial proportions of students had an inaccurate perception of their weight and that weight perception was associated with weight-control behavior.

These findings point to forces that can drive the upwards overweight trends.