Body weight dissatisfaction in the Icelandic adult population: a normative discontent?
Eur J Public Health
; 22(1): 116-21, 2012 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21126987
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Body weight dissatisfaction is a common problem in many modern societies and it appears to have grown over time. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of body weight dissatisfaction among 18- to 79-year-old Icelanders. The distribution of body weight dissatisfaction according to the WHO body mass index criteria for underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity was also assessed.METHODS:
The study was based on 5832 participants in the cross-sectional survey 'Health and Well-Being of Icelanders', administered by the Public Health Institute in Iceland in the fall of 2007.RESULTS:
Around 43% of adult Icelanders are dissatisfied with their own body weight (50% of females; 35% of males) and 72% believe they need to lose weight (80% of females; 63% of males). Despite being in normal range according to the WHO-based BMI criteria, 64% of females in that category believe they need to lose weight. Multivariate results show that indicators of socio-economic status (SES) are not significantly associated with body weight dissatisfaction among females, while among males, those with university education are more often dissatisfied than those with secondary education (OR = 1.5, P < 0.05; for self-perceived need to lose weight, estimates are OR = 1.4, P < 0.05 for females, and OR = 2.5, P < 0.001 for males).CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of body dissatisfaction is so prominent among Icelandic female adults that it can rightfully be labelled a normative discontent in this population.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Imagem Corporal
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Public Health
Assunto da revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Islândia