Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

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Volume 5, Issue Supplement 1, December 2015, Pages S19 - S26

Body shape dissatisfaction is a ‘normative discontent’ in a young-adult Nigerian population: A study of prevalence and effects on health-related quality of life

Authors
Chukwunonso E.C.C. Ejike*, nonsoejikeecc@yahoo.com
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, PMB 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
*Tel.: +2348036066777.
Corresponding Author
Chukwunonso E.C.C. Ejikenonsoejikeecc@yahoo.com
Received 4 April 2015, Revised 8 July 2015, Accepted 9 July 2015, Available Online 29 July 2015.
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2015.07.003How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Body-shape dissatisfaction; Weight preference; Weight misperception
Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of weight misperception, weight preference, and body shape dissatisfaction (BSD) among young-adult Nigerians and assesses the impact of these factors on population quality-of-life (QOL). Relevant anthropometric data were collected according to internationally accepted protocols. Weight perception, weight preference, and BSD were measured using Stunkard silhouettes, while QOL was determined by subjective self-reporting. The results show that 26.7% of the population (18.8% for males and 34.5% for females) misperceived their weight. Among overweight participants, 56.6% (males) and 38.3% (females) thought they were thinner, while 11.5% (males) and 43.3% (females) thought they were heavier. Thin and obese males misperceived their weights more than their female counterparts. BSD was found in 62% of the population (52% for males and 71% for females) and was highest among obese participants (91.9%) and lowest among normal-weight participants (58.2%), irrespective of sex. In participants with BSD, QOL was worse in thin and normal-weight respondents who preferred to be heavier and in overweight respondents who preferred to be thinner. The high prevalence of weight misperception may lead to inappropriate weight loss habits, while BSD, a normative discontent in this population, negatively impacts subject QOL.

Copyright
© 2015 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
5 - Supplement 1
Pages
S19 - S26
Publication Date
2015/07/29
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2015.07.003How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2015 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Cite this article

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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Chukwunonso E.C.C. Ejike
PY  - 2015
DA  - 2015/07/29
TI  - Body shape dissatisfaction is a ‘normative discontent’ in a young-adult Nigerian population: A study of prevalence and effects on health-related quality of life
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - S19
EP  - S26
VL  - 5
IS  - Supplement 1
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2015.07.003
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2015.07.003
ID  - Ejike2015
ER  -