Selbsteinschätzung des Körpergewichts bei Jugendlichen und Body Mass Index

Body dissatisfaction in female adolescents: extent and correlates

This study aimed to assess the extent, patterns, and predictors of feelings of body dissatisfaction experienced by female German adolescents. Using 3D-avatar software, a sample population of 144 girls between 14 and 17 years of age was asked to estimate their actual body image, their desired body image (individual ideal), and the body image they believed their parents and their best female friend considered to be the ideal body image for them. The participants estimated their actual body mass index (BMI) to be 18.82 ± 3.01. The individual ideal body shape reported was significantly thinner, with a BMI score of 16.84 ± 2.51. Given a girl who stands 1.65 m and weighs 55 kg, this corresponds to a difference in weight of about 5.5 kg. After adjustment for the participant's self-reported BMI, participating in an esthetic sport was correlated with a significantly lower body dissatisfaction. Conversely, low socio-economic status and the amount of time spent watching TV was correlated with a significantly higher body dissatisfaction. Negative body image-related comments made by parents were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction. The girls who participated in this study would like to be an average of 1.97 BMI units thinner. The findings presented here suggest that future intervention measures should focus on the risk groups of physically inactive girls, those who smoke, and those with a lower social status and high rates of TV consumption. Intervention measures would be especially effective in German schools which offer lower education levels and should include the pupils' parents, who should be informed about the negative effects weight- and diet-related comments have on their children's body images.

Perceived or true obesity: which causes more suffering in adolescents? Findings of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)

INTRODUCTION

The consequences of perceived obesity on quality of life are compared with those of genuine obesity in adolescents.

METHODS

Within the framework of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), the height and weight of the participants were measured. Children over 11 years of age were asked whether they thought of themselves as underweight, normal, or overweight. As a measure of their health-related quality of life they completed the internationally employed KINDL-R generic questionnaire.

RESULTS

While 74.8% of 11- to 17-year-old girls and boys are of normal weight, only 40.4% believe that they are "just the right weight." Only 60.9% of obese girls and 32.2% of obese boys think of themselves as overweight. The data showed that genuinely obese adolescents, as classified by body mass index, have a better quality of life than those who only perceive themselves as being overweight.

DISCUSSION

A realistic body image on the part of obese adolescents is a prerequisite for their acceptance of interventions. The marked deterioration in quality of life resulting from perceived obesity, even for young people of normal weight, illustrates the complexity of the struggle against obesity.