Abstract

Background

Individual perception of body size has implications for lifestyle behaviours including dietary habits and weight management practices.

Aim

To examine factors related to respondents’ estimation of their body sizes compared to their body mass index (BMI).

Subjects and methods

This cross-sectional survey comprised a sample of 917 adults in urban poor Accra, Ghana. Silhouette figure ratings were used to assess perceived body size and ideal body size at a community level. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlates of respondents overestimating or underestimating their body sizes.

Results

Approximately, 69% of respondents either underestimated or overestimated their body sizes. About a quarter of respondents perceived being overweight as the preferred ideal body size in their communities. The mean BMI of females and males who underestimated their body sizes were within the overweight category and normal weight category, respectively. Gender, educational level, employment status, the community of residence, and ethnicity were associated with how respondents correctly estimated, over- or under-estimated their body sizes. There was evidence of ethnicity mediating the association between the community of residence and body size estimation.

Conclusion

Weight management interventions must be mindful of the socio-demographic and cultural proclivities of the targeted populace for optimum impact.

中文翻译：

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撒哈拉以南非洲城市中资源贫乏的城市居民的身体大小被高估或低估的相关性

摘要

背景

个人对体重的感知会影响生活方式，包括饮食习惯和体重管理习惯。

目标

研究与受访者的体重指数（BMI）相比，他们对自己的体型估计的相关因素。

主题与方法

这项横断面调查对加纳城市阿克拉的917名成年人进行了抽样调查。轮廓图等级用于评估社区一级的感知体重和理想体重。逻辑回归分析用于确定高估或低估其身体大小的受访者的相关性。

结果

大约有69％的受访者低估或高估了自己的身材。大约四分之一的受访者认为超重是其社区中首选的理想体重。低估了男性和女性体重的平均BMI分别在超重类别和正常体重类别之内。性别，教育程度，就业状况，居住社区和种族与受访者正确估计，高估或低估其体型的方式有关。有证据表明，族裔介导了居住社区与体型估计之间的联系。

结论

体重管理干预措施必须牢记目标人群的社会人口统计学和文化倾向，以取得最佳效果。