Maryam Bahreynian1, Mostafa Qorbani, Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh, Ramin Heshmat, Gelayol Ardalan, Roya Kelishadi. 1. Departments of *Pediatrics, Nutrition Department, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan; and $Community Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj; Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran; and Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz; Iran. Correspondence to: Dr Roya Kelishadi, Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. kelishadi@med.mui.ac.ir.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify risk-groups adhering to weight-changing plans for body dissatisfaction in a National sample of Iranian students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Primary, Middle and high-schools. PARTICIPANTS: 13486 students (mean age, 12.5 y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected via valid instruments. Body image and adherence to weight- changing diets were assessed by using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: 46.5% students were satisfied with their weight and12.5% declared that they had attempts for weight control, this was significantly higher among adolescent girls (13.8%, P=0.0005). Participants who perceived themselves as overweight and obese, were more likely (OR= 5.32) to follow weight-reduction diets than their peers with normal-weight perception. Actual overweight-BMI and obese-BMI individuals had greater odds for being on a diet (1.3 and 1.47, respectively) compared to their normal-BMI counterparts. CONCLUSION: Promoting strategies to improve body image concerns and prevent adverse outcomes of chronic dieting among adolescents are necessary.
OBJECTIVE: To identify risk-groups adhering to weight-changing plans for body dissatisfaction in a National sample of Iranian students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Primary, Middle and high-schools. PARTICIPANTS: 13486 students (mean age, 12.5 y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected via valid instruments. Body image and adherence to weight- changing diets were assessed by using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: 46.5% students were satisfied with their weight and12.5% declared that they had attempts for weight control, this was significantly higher among adolescent girls (13.8%, P=0.0005). Participants who perceived themselves as overweight and obese, were more likely (OR= 5.32) to follow weight-reduction diets than their peers with normal-weight perception. Actual overweight-BMI and obese-BMI individuals had greater odds for being on a diet (1.3 and 1.47, respectively) compared to their normal-BMI counterparts. CONCLUSION: Promoting strategies to improve body image concerns and prevent adverse outcomes of chronic dieting among adolescents are necessary.