To weigh or not to weigh: the relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults.

Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the U.S., identifying behaviors that aid or hinder weight control efforts continues to be a research priority. Body weight monitoring is a technique used in many popular weight management programs. However, how weight monitoring-particularly self-weighing behavior-relates to psychological constructs like body image is poorly understood. Participants included 268 undergraduates (190 women, 78 men) at a midwestern university who completed questionnaires about self-weighing behavior and body image (multidimensional body-self relations questionnaire; eating disorder examination-questionnaire: weight and shape concern subscales). Among women, more frequent self-weighing was associated with greater appearance orientation, overweight preoccupation, and shape concern. Among men, more frequent self-weighing was associated with greater body areas satisfaction, health and fitness orientation, and positive health evaluation. Results suggest that self-weighing is a fairly common behavior, but its relationship with body image is complex and gender-specific.