Cognitive insight is associated with perceived body weight in overweight and obese adults

Abstract

Background Accurate perception of body weight is necessary for individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) to initiate strategies to improve their health status. Furthermore, identifying factors that influence accurate body weight perception can assist in designing appropriate educational and weight management programs. We therefore aimed to investigate whether levels of cognitive functioning and insight influence the ability to correctly judge body weight. Methods One hundred and eighty four overweight and obese adults who participated in a cross- sectional case-control study and were controls in the aforementioned study were included. The study was conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Demographic, weight-related, neuropsychiatric, neurocognitive and cognitive insight measures were administered. Regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with correct weight perception. Results The final regression model explained 52.3% of variation in accurate perception of body weight and was significant (p ≤ 0. 001). The model correctly classified 79.3% of individuals who were able to correctly and incorrectly judge their weight. Adults with higher BMI, and lower self-certainty, those who reported that they had gained weight in the previous year and those who were told by a healthcare professional to lose or maintain a healthy weight were more likely to correctly judge their weight. Conclusion Some aspects of cognitive insight (self-certainty) but not cognitive functioning were associated with perception of body weight in this sample. Awareness of recent weight changes, higher BMI and advice from of health care professionals were also significantly associated with perception of body weight, while demographic variables were not. Understanding the factors that contribute to the correct perception of weight is important in identifying appropriate health interventions that may address the burden of associated non-communicable diseases in overweight and obese individuals.

Ketogenic Diet Applied in Weight Reduction of Overweight and Obese Individuals with Progress Prediction by Use of the Modified Wishnofsky Equation

“…An accurate perception of the expected body weight after a certain time of reduction in energy intake is necessary for people who are on a weight loss program, but also for nutritionists who lead the program in order to design the appropriate next step of the weight management program [ 29 ]. Therefore, last results are devoted to the efficiency of the modified Wishnofsky equation in predicting expected body mass after a certain phase of their diet.…”

Sociodemographic factors associated with weight perception of adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Meanwhile, much of the existing studies focus on the weight misperception and its association with sociodemographic factors among adolescents. However, the influence of some sociodemographic factors on the weight perception accuracy remains controversial (S. Kim & So, 2014; Suliman et al, 2021; Tang et al, 2010; Wilson, et al, 2019; Xie et al, 2003). These results point to the necessity of evaluating the main sociodemographic factors related to the weight perception accuracy of adolescents using systematic review and meta‐analysis approaches.…”

“…Meanwhile, much of the existing studies focus on the weight misperception and its association with sociodemographic factors among adolescents. However, the influence of some sociodemographic factors on the weight perception accuracy remains controversial (S. Suliman et al, 2021;Tang et al, 2010;Wilson, et al, 2019;Xie et al, 2003).…”