Do Measures of Psychological Resilience Vary With Self-Perceived Body Weight Status?

Background

Research suggests underestimation of body weight may be associated with beneficial psychological resilience against consequences of obesity, compared with accurate perception. Less is known about the comparison between those who underestimate versus those who overestimate their body weight.

Objective

To investigate differences in life satisfaction, social/emotional support, and weight change intentions between those who underestimate vs overestimate vs accurately perceive their body weight.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

Data were collected between 2008-2023 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, a cross-sectional study of undergraduates, ages 18-24 years. After exclusions for missing data, the final sample (n=8203) was 93.9% white, 69.3% female, and had a mean age of 18.9±1.1.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

Weight self-perception, weight change intent, life satisfaction, and social/emotional support, were measured via online survey. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated via height and weight measured by technicians, then compared with weight self-perception to determine self-perception accuracy. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate differences between self-perception accuracy categories.

Results

About two-thirds (68.9%) perceived their weight category accurately, while one-third (31.1%) misperceived, with 19.5% underestimating and 11.6% overestimating. Women were more likely to overestimate (14.7% vs. 4.6%, p<.001), while men were more likely to underestimate their weight (37.5% vs. 11.6%, p<.001). Underestimaters were more likely to report weight maintenance intent or no weight change intent vs. overestimaters (33.2% vs. 14.2%, p<.001). Overestimaters were less likely to report high life satisfaction compared with underestimators and accurate perceivers (19.9% vs. 35.8% vs. 33.4%, p<.001). No differences in self-reported social support between groups were observed.

Conclusions

In young adults, data suggest underestimation of weight was associated with less intentional weight change behavior and higher life satisfaction. These results may help guide practitioners working with young adults by revealing differing patterns in weight misperception.

Funding

NIFA, New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Project 1010738, and the State of New Hampshire