Weight Misperception, Weight Dissatisfaction, and Weight Change Among a Swiss Population-Based Adult Sample
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: We investigated the effect of weight misperception or dissatisfaction among individuals of normal BMI on their long-term weight changes. Methods: Data from the three follow-ups of the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study (2009–2012, 2014–2017, and 2018–2021) conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. Participants with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 were eligible. Weight misperception/dissatisfaction was assessed by questionnaires. Weight change over a 5- or 10-year period was categorized as stable (±5 kg), loss (<−5 kg), or gain (>+5 kg). Results: Overall, 1826 (66.1% women, 55.9 ± 9.9 years) and 1089 (62.7% women, 61.2 ± 9.6 years) participants of surveys 2009–2012 and 2014–2017, respectively, were retained for analysis. Prevalence of weight misperception was 15.9% (95% CI: 14.2–17.6) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.6–13.5) in 2009–2012 and 2014–2017, respectively. The corresponding values for weight dissatisfaction were 28.9% (95% CI: 26.8–31.0) and 20.9% (95% CI: 18.6–23.5). After multivariable analysis, participants with weight misperception/dissatisfaction had a higher likelihood (p < 0.05) of presenting with weight loss: for weight misperception, odds ratio and 95% CI: 2.29 (1.30–4.02) and 2.66 (1.24–5.69) for 2009–2012 and 2014–2017, respectively; the corresponding values for weight dissatisfaction were 2.02 (1.22–3.35) and 2.40 (1.23–4.65). No associations between weight misperception/dissatisfaction with weight gain were found. Conclusions: Our study found that weight misperception/dissatisfaction in normal-weight, middle-aged individuals was associated with weight loss over time.
Authors: Lucy Manca, Pedro Marques-Vidal
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,016
Awards: G1220424921, Prospective associations of major depressive disorder with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and mortality in the community, Cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders in the general population: a prospective follow-up study, Cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders in the general population: a prospective follow-up study, G2957143966, G3248287424, G5599442719, G6927407676, G7262634952, Cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders in the general population: a prospective follow-up study, G7975901996, G8253295407, G8499801373
OpenAlex ID: W4413252487