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PubMed1996

Maternal perception of children's weight in relation to eating disorders.

Abnormal perception of body weight in girls has been reported previously (1), and distorted perception of body shape is cited as one of the pathogenetic factors in eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa (2,3). Parent-child relationships should also be considered as one of the factors possibly contributing to the onset of the eating disorders (3,4). In the present paper we shall examine whether mothers perceive the weight of their sons and daughters correctly or not, and we shall also compare the results with the perceptions of the children themselves, which we have reported previously in this journal (1). Five outline drawings (-20% to 20% overweight), used in the previous study (1), were shown to the mothers, who were asked to select the drawings which they considered to represent the body weight of their sons (n = 130) and daughters (n = 125), who were aged 6 to 18 years. The mean body weights of the boys and girls in the study sample were 6.0% and 6.6% overweight, respectively. The mothers perceived the weight of their sons to be significantly (P < 0.01) less than the actual weight of these boys. The mean difference between the perceived weight and the actual weight was 10.4%. The mothers' perception of their daughters' weight was also 7.9% less than the actual weight (P < 0.05) (Fig. 1).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Perception of body weight and body mass at twice earth-gravity acceleration levels.

On Earth, when standing on two feet, we experience particular patterns of force and pressure on the soles of our feet. As we lift one foot and balance on the other, little or no increase in force or pressure is perceived on the sole of the stance foot even though the contact forces of support on that foot have doubled. The failure to perceive this increase is actually an illusion resulting from the operation of spatial constancy mechanisms serving to preserve feelings of near constant force and pressure on the support surface(s) of the body. On Earth, body weight and body mass are perceived as remaining constant regardless as to whether we are standing on two feet or one and whether we are carrying large objects. In the high force phase(2 g acceleration) of parabolic flight, body weight is perceived as doubling, and a great increase in force is perceived on the soles of our feet if we are standing. When shifting balance from two feet to one, an increase in force of approximately 0.5 mg is felt on the sole of the stance foot. The actual increase in force is 1.0 mg but perceptual compensation is only being made for a 0.5 mg increase such as would be characteristic of shifting balance on Earth; accordingly an additional 0.5 mg (1.0-0.5 mg) residue is perceived. These findings indicate that body weight is dependent on the magnitude of the gravitoinertial forces acting on the body. Variations in the contact forces supporting the body due to passive or active locomotion of the body or to objects that are being carried are monitored and disregarded in computing apparent body weight. When stepping up and down from a low platform during the high force phases of parabolic flight, aberrant motion of the body and the aircraft is experienced. These illusory motions result because the doubling of body weight in a 2 g force background alters the normal relationship between patterns of alpha and gamma activation of antigravity muscles, muscle spindle activity, and the movements of the body. Accordingly, sensory-motor control and perceptual and postural stability on Earth are dependent on an active calibration to a 1 g background force level.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2003

Self-perception and dissatisfaction with weight does not depend on the frequency of physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of satisfaction with body weight and the self-perception of the weight/height ratio and to verify the influence of the frequency of present and past physical activity on these variables. METHODS: Using questionnaires or interviews, we obtained height data, reported and desired weight, self-perception of the weight/height ratio, and the frequency of current physical activity in 844 adults (489 women). Of these, evaluated the frequency of physical activity during high school of 193 individuals, and we measured their height and weight. RESULTS: Less than 2/3 of the individuals had body mass index between 20 and 24.9 kg/m2. A tendency existed to overestimate height by less than 1 cm and to underestimate weight by less than 1 kg. Desired weight was less than that reported (p < 0.001), and only 20% were satisfied with their current weight. Only 42% of men and 25% of women exercised regularly. No association was found between the frequency of physical activity and the variables height, weight, and body mass index, and the level of satisfaction with current weight. CONCLUSION: Height and weight reported seem to be valid for epidemological studies, and great dissatisfaction with body weight and a distorted self-perception of height/weight ratio exists, especially in women, regardless of the frequency of physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Heaviness perception. II. Contributions of object weight, haptic size, and density to the accurate perception of heaviness or lightness.

The present study investigated the contributions of object weight, haptic size, and density to the accurate perception of heaviness or lightness in the process of discriminating differences in weight between pairs of cubes with cue conflicts such as that resulting from the size-weight illusion. Fifteen subjects, with visual input blocked and relying on the input gained by grasping the cubes with only their fingertips, attempted to accurately discriminate possible differences in weight factor between the two respective cubes in each step of the trials. Three sets - one set each of copper (CP), aluminum (AL), and plastic (PL) - of seven cubes of various weight (0.10-0.74 N) were used. All of the cubes were covered with smooth, thin vinyl to eliminate possible input concerning density or material per se. Screens were strategically placed to eliminate any visual cues. One hundred and ninety-six trials with 37 combinations were pseudorandomly presented to subjects in the following conditions: PL versus AL, AL versus CP, and CP versus PL. Trials included 2 x 3 combinations on the basis of density (98 trials for higher and 98 for lower conditions) and weight (84 ascending trials for heavier, 28 for identical, and 84 descending for lighter conditions). The response for each trial given by each subject was regarded as correct when it accurately identified the weight relationship between the first and second cube. It was found that the subjects fairly accurately identified the weight relationship when density and weight both increased for the second cube (95.6% for given trials), and when density and weight both decreased (94.6%). The current results were markedly greater than those in the constant-density conditions obtained previously, suggesting that changes in density may be as much of an aid in the perception of heaviness and lightness as is weight. Whenever two cues conflicted directionally with each other, however, accuracy fell dramatically to 33.6% for lower density/ascending weight, and to 22.7% for higher density/descending weight. These results indicate the possibility of two different cues contributing to the perception of heaviness and lightness. Cue conflict such as the size-weight illusion naturally occurs when discriminating weight between objects. The present results, however, suggest that a person may perceive heaviness on the basis of the well-regulated relations between changes of density, size, and weight. The way in which these two cues are related through the haptic size is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Self-reported weight status and dieting in a cross-sectional sample of young adolescents: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of self-reported weight status and dieting to actual weight and height in a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of young adolescents. METHODS: Weights and heights were obtained on 1932 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. Information on adolescents' perception of weight status, desired weight, and weight loss attempts was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: Adolescents' reports of whether they considered themselves overweight or normal weight correlated poorly with medical definitions of overweight: 52% of girls who considered themselves overweight were, in fact, normal weight (body mass index < or = 85th percentile), while only 25% of boys who considered themselves overweight were normal weight (P<.001). Adolescent white girls were significantly more likely to consider themselves overweight, even when their weight status was normal, than black girls (P<.001), black boys (P<.001), and white boys (P<.001). Adolescent white girls were also more likely to diet than black girls (P<.001), black boys (P<.001), and white boys (P<.001). Dieting behavior was associated with whether adolescents viewed themselves as overweight independent of whether they actually were overweight. Racial differences between dieting and self-perceived weight status were limited to girls. There were no significant differences in self-perceived weight status (P = .28), dieting behaviors (P = .99), and desire to weigh less (P = .95) among black and white boys. CONCLUSIONS: Significant sex and racial differences existed in weight perception, desired weight, and dieting. A high proportion of normal-weight white girls consider themselves overweight and have attempted to lose weight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

International comparison of care for very low birth weight infants: parents' perceptions of counseling and decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize parent perceptions and satisfaction with physician counseling and delivery-room resuscitation of very low birth weight infants in countries with neonatal intensive care capacity. STUDY DESIGN: Convenience sample of 327 parents of 379 inborn very low birth weight infants (<1501 g) who had received resuscitation and neonatal intensive care in 9 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 6 Pacific Rim countries and in 2 California hospitals. The sample comprised mostly parents whose infants survived, because in some centers interviews of parents of nonsurviving infants were culturally inappropriate. Of 359 survivors for whom outcome data were asked of parents, 29% were reported to have long-term sequelae. Half-hour structured interviews were performed, using trained interpreters as necessary, at an interval of 13.7 months after the infant's birth. We compared responses to interview questions that detailed counseling patterns, factors taken into consideration in decisions, and acceptance of parental decision-making. RESULTS: Parents' recall of perinatal counseling differed among centers. The majority of parents assessed physician counseling on morbidity and mortality as adequate in most, but not all, centers. They less commonly perceived discussions of other issues as adequate to their needs. The majority (>65%) of parents in all centers felt that they understood their infant's prognosis after physician counseling. The proportion of parents who expected long-term sequelae in their infant varied from 15% (in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) to 64% (in Singapore). The majority (>70%) of parents in all centers, however, perceived their infant's outcome to be better than they expected from physician counseling. A majority of parents across all centers feared that their infant would die in the NICU, and approximately one third continued to fear that their infant might die at home after nursery discharge. The parents' regard for physicians' and, to a lesser extent, partners' opinions was important in decision-making. Less than one quarter of parents perceived that physicians had made actual life-support decisions on their own except in Melbourne, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan (where 74% and 45% of parents, respectively, reported sole physician decision-making). Parents would have preferred to play a more active, but not autonomous, role in decisions made for their infants. Counseling may heighten parents' anxiety during and after their infant's hospitalization, but that does not diminish their recalled satisfaction with counseling and the decision-making process. CONCLUSIONS: Counseling differs by center among these centers in Australasia and California. Given that parents desire to play an active role in decision-making for their premature infant, physicians should strive to provide parents the medical information critical for informed decision-making. Given that parents do not seek sole decision-making capacity, physicians should foster parental involvement in life-support decisions to the extent appropriate for local cultural norms.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Does weight status influence perceptions of physical activity barriers among African-American women?

BACKGROUND: Many African-American women fail to participate in regular physical activity. Weight status may influence physical activity barriers. This study examined the frequency and type of barriers. METHODS: Participants in this study were enrolled in Project EXE-L (Exercising Ladies Excel), a six-month, church-based, randomized trial of moderate-intensity physical activity based in Baltimore city and county in Maryland. Participants were composed of African-American women who attended one of the participating churches, had friends who were church members, or who lived in neighborhoods surrounding one of the churches. Individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 70 years, were not regularly physically active (defined as not engaging in moderate-intensity activity more than three times per week), and were able to participate in moderate-intensity activity met eligibility criteria to participate in the trial. Barriers to physical activity were evaluated with the Steinhardt/Dishman Barriers for Habitual Physical Activity Scale at baseline. RESULTS: One hundred twenty women were classified as normal weight (body mass index [BMI]: <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI: > or = 30 kg/m2). Obese participants were more likely to report "lack of motivation" as a barrier compared with normal-weight participants (63% vs 31%). Normal-weight and overweight participants were more likely to report no barriers compared with the obese (31%, 0%, 5%, respectively, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers for African-American women may vary by BMI status. By defining these unique barriers, effective physical activity interventions can be developed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Perception of body weight and self-reported eating and exercise behaviour among obese and non-obese women in Saudi Arabia.

A case control study was conducted to examine the theorized differences for eating and exercise behaviour among the obese and non-obese women from an urban health center in Saudi Arabia. Perceptions regarding actual and ideal body size were also determined. The obese were significantly more likely to eat under emotional conditions of stress and anger, in secrecy, and indulge in binge eating (P < 0.05). Frequent snacking and drinking of regular soda drinks was also more common in this group compared to the controls (P < 0.05). A weak association was observed for nibbling at food without being aware and preference of sweet foods compared to savoury ones by the obese (P < 0.1). A large group of the study population (75%) were either not exercising at all or doing so infrequently--a feature expected in the middle and lower social class group of women in this region. A sizable proportion of women either overestimated (28.6%) or underestimated (28.9%) their actual body weight with increasing education significantly related to overestimation of weight and vice versa (P < 0.05). A change in the concept of an ideal body image from the overweight female to that of the slim figure was also observed with advancing education. To control and prevent obesity in this region, it is suggested that health education related to an awareness of a healthy body size and appropriate eating and exercise behaviour should be given through primary health centers, other health facilities and schools.

Adolescent↗