Factors Associated with Distorted Self-perception of Body Weight in Korean Adults

Kim, Chang Sup; Jeong, Tae Heum; Kim, Moon Chan; Park, Jeong Woon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was done to examine the relationship between distorted self-perception of body weight and some sociodemographic factors in Korean adults.
METHODS
This study was conducted among 14,621 adults (men 10,833, women 3,788), who visited Ulsan University Hospital Health Promotion Center to take a routine health examination. The objective body weight status was classified as underweight, normal, overweight, and obesity by body mass index. We compared the self- perception of body weight with in objective body weight status. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the odds ratio for distorted self-perception of body weight by age, marital status, monthly income, and level of education.
RESULTS
Among the total 72.8% of obese men had a distorted self-perception of being slightly excess, 48% of overweight men considered themselves as just about right, and 39.5% of men with normal body weight as underweight. In women, 36.5% with normal body weight had a distorted self-perception of being slightly excess or very excess. In both men and women who were overweight or obesity, the distorted self-perception of being just about right was increased with higher age and lower education. The odds ratio of distorted self-perception in normal as being slightly excess or very excess was higher in women with higher income and higher education.
CONCLUSION
In both men and women, many people had a distorted self-perception of Body weight. Some sociodemographic factors were found to be related to the self- perception of body weight.