Perceived Body Weight and Weight Management-Related Behaviors among Young Adults: Mediating Effects of Body Mass Index

ABSTRACT

Background

Understanding the relationship between the perceived body weight, body mass index (BMI), and weight management-related behaviors is critical to preventing obesity in young adults.

Purpose

To explore the relationship between perceived body weight and weight management-related behaviors and to assess the mediating effects of BMI between perceived body weight and weight management-related behaviors among young adults.

Methods

Using data (n = 4882) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, multiple linear regression and a series of mediation analyses were applied to analyze the data.

Results

Both perceived body weight and BMI were significantly associated with breakfast consumption and sleep for overall participants (p < .001; p < .001). Perceived body weight and BMI were significantly associated with breakfast consumption among young female adults (p < .001). Perceived body weight and BMI were significantly associated with sleep among young male adults (p = .03). BMI is found to mediate the relationship between perceived body weight and breakfast consumption.

Discussion

The study demonstrated both perceived body weight and BMI contribute to certain weight management-related behaviors. BMI could be the inflammatory mechanism of health behavior change.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Development of tailored interventions or culturally appropriate weight management educational programs are needed for young adults. Findings of this study could have implications for public health education.

A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).