Body weight perception and physical activity level among late adolescents in Kuantan, Pahang : a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Abd Rahman, Mohd Aizuddin, Jamani, Nurjasmine Aida, Said, Abdul Hadi, Abd. Aziz, Karimah Hanim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academic of Family Physicians of Malaysia 2019
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RA Public aspects of medicine; RZ Other systems of medicine
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/73212/1/73212_Body%20weight%20perception%20and%20physical_complete.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/73212/; http://e-mfp.org/wp-content/uploads/v14s2.pdf

Background: Body weight perception is an important underlying psychological factor associated with body weight. Overemphasis on thinness among adolescents can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, whereas underestimation of body weight may increase risk of the development of obesity. Physical activity thought to be related to body weight perception as misperception of body image can lead to either physical inactivity or physical over activity. Objectives: This study measured the association between body weight perception and physical activity level as well as relationship between physical activity levels with sociodemographic profile among late adolescents in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2018 among 479 adolescents from seven higher learning institutions in Kuantan; aged 17-19 years old. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. A validated, self-administered questionnaires; Figure Rating Scale (FRS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. Chi-square test was used to test the relationship between body weight perception and physical activity level. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association among physical activity level and socio-demographic variables. Results: Majority of the real overweight participants correctly perceived themselves as overweight (69.6%), whilst almost half of actual obese respondents did not see themselves as obese (45.2%). Most of the perceived overweight/obese respondents were practicing high physical activity level (34.9%).Smokers were 60 percent less physically active than non-smoker (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.78). Male gender was 2.46 times more active than female (aOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.55-3.92). No statistical significant association seen between body weight perception and physical activity level (χ2 0.56, p 0.76). Conclusion: Study results showed that perceiving weight as being overweight or obese regardless of concordant was not determinant of physical activity level. However, health education in terms of active physical activity and healthy eating habit should be emphasized among late adolescents.