Considering BMI, Body Image and Desired Weight Change for Suitable Obesity Management Options

Abstract

With prevalence of obesity increasing worldwide, understanding body image in individuals with excessive weight is important, as unawareness of weight excess can prevent weight loss attempts. We explored the associations among measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI), body image and body satisfaction among Spanish females and males with overweight or obesity, with a special focus in discriminating individuals who are and are not satisfied with their body and wish or not to change their appearance. Just unifying all individuals with excessive weight may lead to uncover or deny different realities and to develop unfitted clinical management options. Updating findings for the Spanish population, we found that most participants correctly estimated their weight, but 3 in 10 underestimated it. Similarly, their body images corresponded to adults with overweight or obesity who desired to be thinner, but in average they reported a perceived body just slightly overweight and a moderate satisfaction with their body. Complementing the existing evidence, BMI and sex-gender interacted for influencing body weight estimation and desired weight change. In addition, three different subgroups were found for desired change of weight and size, depending on their BMI and body satisfaction. Discovering and considering different subjective realities and corporeal experiences among individuals with weight excess will help professionals to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions. Thus, the personal experiences that individuals have with obesity, instead of obesity itself, should be considered for disentangling management efforts.

Psychosocial and Diet-Related Lifestyle Clusters in Overweight and Obesity

“…The nature and adequacy of the data were checked, and parametric assumptions were confirmed before conducting analyses. Descriptive and other inferential results are reported elsewhere [ 13 , 17 ]. For the present study, a two-step cluster analysis was conducted, combining hierarchical agglomerative preclustering and then, for replication, a nonhierarchical iterative k-means cluster analysis for fixed solutions from two to four clusters, to identify psychosocial and diet-related profiles maximizing intraconglomerate homogeneity and between-conglomerate heterogeneity (with Euclidean distance as the method for distance measure).…”

“…Given that negative body image and body dissatisfaction [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] and weight-related prejudice, discrimination, and stigma [ 13 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] have been consistently found to be related to decreased functioning and well-being, these variables are worthy of being considered in a configurational analysis.…”

Association of a Mediterranean Diet and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity

“…A total of 15 male or female body figures were presented to the individuals to assess their own perceived bodies (perceived body image, PBI) and ideal bodies (ideal body image, IBI) (in both cases, 1 = excessively obese, 8 = excessively thin and flaccid, 15 = excessively muscular). Based on these, we calculated the desire to change weight and body appearance by computing the PBI-IBI discrepancy (i.e., negative difference values indicate a desire for a slimmer or more muscular body; positive difference values indicate a desire for a heavier or less muscular body) [32]. In addition, body satisfaction was assessed by a single face-valid item ("How satisfied are you with your current body weight and appearance?"…”

“…In addition, body satisfaction was assessed by a single face-valid item ("How satisfied are you with your current body weight and appearance?" 1 = extremely dissatisfied, 7 = extremely satisfied) [32]. Body satisfaction is considered a key dimension in the evaluative-subjective component of body image [33].…”

Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Body Image Satisfaction and Appreciation Among Saudi Adults

“…It is composed of the perceptions (i.e., perceptual component) and the emotions, cognitions, and attitudes (i.e., evaluative component) that we have toward our body, which are translated into bodyweight and appearance-management efforts (i.e., behavioral component) [ 9 ]. However, weight misperception may limit the effectiveness of obesity prevention and management efforts [ 10 ]. Personal perceptions about the body refer to how a person considers their own body weight, size, shape, and composition to be.…”