Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city
Background Individual perception of body size has implications for lifestyle behaviours including dietary habits and weight management practices. Aim To examine factors related to respondents’ estimation of their body sizes compared to their body mass index (BMI). Subjects and methods This cross-sec...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Annals of Human Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2020.1830171 |
| _version_ | 1797685564809412608 |
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| author | Aaron Kobina Christian Grace Agyemang Frempong |
| author_facet | Aaron Kobina Christian Grace Agyemang Frempong |
| author_sort | Aaron Kobina Christian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Individual perception of body size has implications for lifestyle behaviours including dietary habits and weight management practices. Aim To examine factors related to respondents’ estimation of their body sizes compared to their body mass index (BMI). Subjects and methods This cross-sectional survey comprised a sample of 917 adults in urban poor Accra, Ghana. Silhouette figure ratings were used to assess perceived body size and ideal body size at a community level. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlates of respondents overestimating or underestimating their body sizes. Results Approximately, 69% of respondents either underestimated or overestimated their body sizes. About a quarter of respondents perceived being overweight as the preferred ideal body size in their communities. The mean BMI of females and males who underestimated their body sizes were within the overweight category and normal weight category, respectively. Gender, educational level, employment status, the community of residence, and ethnicity were associated with how respondents correctly estimated, over- or under-estimated their body sizes. There was evidence of ethnicity mediating the association between the community of residence and body size estimation. Conclusion Weight management interventions must be mindful of the socio-demographic and cultural proclivities of the targeted populace for optimum impact. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:45:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-531b09c083c244b99d1f2e68276ae3c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0301-4460 1464-5033 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:45:59Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Human Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-531b09c083c244b99d1f2e68276ae3c02023-09-14T15:36:13ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Human Biology0301-44601464-50332020-11-01477-860260910.1080/03014460.2020.18301711830171Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African cityAaron Kobina Christian0Grace Agyemang Frempong1Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of GhanaRegional Institute for Population Studies, University of GhanaBackground Individual perception of body size has implications for lifestyle behaviours including dietary habits and weight management practices. Aim To examine factors related to respondents’ estimation of their body sizes compared to their body mass index (BMI). Subjects and methods This cross-sectional survey comprised a sample of 917 adults in urban poor Accra, Ghana. Silhouette figure ratings were used to assess perceived body size and ideal body size at a community level. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlates of respondents overestimating or underestimating their body sizes. Results Approximately, 69% of respondents either underestimated or overestimated their body sizes. About a quarter of respondents perceived being overweight as the preferred ideal body size in their communities. The mean BMI of females and males who underestimated their body sizes were within the overweight category and normal weight category, respectively. Gender, educational level, employment status, the community of residence, and ethnicity were associated with how respondents correctly estimated, over- or under-estimated their body sizes. There was evidence of ethnicity mediating the association between the community of residence and body size estimation. Conclusion Weight management interventions must be mindful of the socio-demographic and cultural proclivities of the targeted populace for optimum impact.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2020.1830171body sizebody mass indexestimationsocio-demographicsurban poorghana |
| spellingShingle | Aaron Kobina Christian Grace Agyemang Frempong Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city Annals of Human Biology body size body mass index estimation socio-demographics urban poor ghana |
| title | Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city |
| title_full | Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city |
| title_fullStr | Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city |
| title_short | Correlates of over- or under-estimation of body size among resource-poor urban dwellers in a sub-Saharan African city |
| title_sort | correlates of over or under estimation of body size among resource poor urban dwellers in a sub saharan african city |
| topic | body size body mass index estimation socio-demographics urban poor ghana |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2020.1830171 |
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