Weight self-misperception and obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, lifestyle behaviours and cardio-metabolic markers among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents

Jieyu Liu; Qi Ma; Xinxin Wang; Manman Chen; Tao Ma; Mengjie Cui; Jun Jiang; Yanhui Li; Di Gao; Ying Ma; Wen Yuan; Li Chen; Yi Zhang; Tongjun Guo; Jun Ma; Yanhui Dong

doi:10.1017/S1368980023000630

Public Health Nutrition (Aug 2023)

Weight self-misperception and obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, lifestyle behaviours and cardio-metabolic markers among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents

Jieyu Liu,
Qi Ma,
Xinxin Wang,
Manman Chen,
Tao Ma,
Mengjie Cui,
Jun Jiang,
Yanhui Li,
Di Gao,
Ying Ma,
Wen Yuan,
Li Chen,
Yi Zhang,
Tongjun Guo,
Jun Ma,
Yanhui Dong

Affiliations

Jieyu Liu: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Qi Ma: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Xinxin Wang: School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Yinchuan, China
Manman Chen: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Tao Ma: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Mengjie Cui: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Jun Jiang: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Yanhui Li: School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China
Di Gao: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
Ying Ma: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Wen Yuan: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Li Chen: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Yi Zhang: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Tongjun Guo: Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Jun Ma: ORCiD; Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China
Yanhui Dong: ORCiD; Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, 100191, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023000630
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 26
pp. 1549 – 1561

Abstract

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Abstract Objective: The relationships between childhood weight self-misperception and obesity-related factors particularly health markers have not been extensively discussed. This study aims to examine the associations between weight self-misperception and obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, lifestyles and cardio-metabolic markers among Chinese paediatric population. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Data sourced from a national survey in Chinese seven provinces in 2013. Participants: Children and adolescents aged 5–19 years. Results: Of the total 14 079 participants, there were 14·5 % and 2·2 % participants over-estimated and under-perceived their weight, respectively. Multi-variable logistic regression was applied to calculate OR and 95 % CI (95 % Cl) of obesity-related behaviours and cardio-metabolic markers by actual and perceived weight status. Individuals who perceived themselves as overweight/obese were more likely to have prolonged screen time, insufficient dairy intake and over sugar-sweetened beverages consumption (all P < 0·05), regardless of their weight. Furthermore, actual overweight/obese individuals had higher odds of abnormal cardio-metabolic markers, but a smaller magnitude of association was found among weight under-estimators. Among non-overweight/obese individuals, weight over-estimation was positively associated with abdominal obesity (OR: 10·49, 95 % CI: 7·45, 14·76), elevated blood pressure (OR: 1·30, 95 % CI: 1·12, 1·51) and dyslipidemia (OR: 1·43, 95 % CI: 1·29, 1·58). Conclusions: Weight over-perception was more prevalent than under-estimation, particularly in girls. Weight over-estimators tended to master better knowledge but behave more unhealthily; both weight over-perception and actual overweight/obesity status were associated with poorer cardio-metabolic markers. Future obesity intervention programmes should additionally pay attention to the population with inaccurate estimation of weight who were easily overlooked.

Published in Public Health Nutrition

ISSN: 1368-9800 (Print); 1475-2727 (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine; Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition

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