Considering BMI, Body Image and Desired Weight Change for Suitable Obesity Management Options

Abstract

With prevalence of obesity increasing worldwide, understanding body image in individuals with excessiveweight is important, as unawareness of weight excess can prevent weight loss attempts. We explored the associationsamong measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI), body image and body satisfaction among Spanish females andmales with overweight or obesity, with a special focus in discriminating individuals who are and are not satisfied with theirbody and wish or not to change their appearance. Just unifying all individuals with excessive weight may lead to uncoveror deny different realities and to develop unfitted clinical management options. Updatingfindings for the Spanishpopulation, we found that most participants correctly estimated their weight, but 3 in 10 underestimated it. Similarly,their body images corresponded to adults with overweight or obesity who desired to be thinner, but in average theyreported a perceived body just slightly overweight and a moderate satisfaction with their body. Complementing theexisting evidence, BMI and sex-gender interacted for influencing body weight estimation and desired weight change. Inaddition, three different subgroups were found for desired change of weight and size, depending on their BMI and bodysatisfaction. Discovering and considering different subjective realities and corporeal experiences among individuals withweight excess will help professionals to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions. Thus, the personal experiences thatindividuals have with obesity, instead of obesity itself, should be considered for disentangling management efforts