Body Mass Index and Body Weight Perception among a Population of Female Adolescents

Siham Lghoul; Mohamed Loukid; Mohamed Kamal Hilali

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.3865

Authors

Siham Lghoul Department of Biology, Human Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
Mohamed Loukid Department of Biology, Human Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
Mohamed Kamal Hilali Department of Biology, Human Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.3865

Keywords:

Body mass index, Body weight perception, Adolescents female, Health education

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is associated with many physical changes, it is described as a period when body weight changes and is likely to become worrying for many adolescents.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate associations between body weight perception and body mass index (BMI) among a population of female adolescents.

METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from February to May 2017 among 12–19 years olds adolescents (n = 415) from high and middle school. BMI for age percentiles was calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus. Body weight perception was determined using an anonymous questionnaire.

RESULTS: The prevalence of misconception of body weight was 60%. The prevalence of misconception was positively associated with the participants age (p < 0.001), the occurrence of menarche (p < 0.05), the increasing of BMI (p < 0.001), and with habits diet satisfaction (p < 0.05). Overweighed participants and who’s with normal weight were more likely to perceive their weight incorrectly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, approximately 2.9% of participants underestimated their true body weight and 57.1% overestimated their weight. However, all participants with underweight had correctly perceived their body weight. Logistic regression showed that predictor factors of misconception weight were participant’s age and BMI.

CONCLUSION: It is recommended to improve healthy programs in schools aimed at preventing body weight perception and eating problems among adolescents.

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Author Biography

Mohamed Loukid, Department of Biology, Human Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco

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