Cranfield Water S1ience Institute, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK.
School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham ME4 4TB, UK.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Jul 26;56(8):375. doi: 10.3390/medicina56080375.
The prevalence of obesity among adults has reached epidemic proportions in Latin America, placing large demands on health care systems. Research suggests cultural differences in body weight perceptions may be a barrier during the implementation of weight-loss strategies. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of weight misperception in Peruvian women and evaluate contributing factors. A total of 236 women were recruited in San Martín, northern Peru. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards their weight and health were collected. Self-perception of weight status was assessed with a 10-point scale and compared with measured body mass index (BMI). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with underestimation of weight status. A total of 65.2% of women were classified as overweight/obese by BMI, but only 15.2% perceived themselves so. A total of 70.4% of women underestimated their weight status and no incidence of overestimation was reported. Overweight and obese women were more likely to underestimate their weight status than normal weight women (OR: 34.24, 95%CI: 11.55-101.45; OR: 42.06, 95%CI: 11.17-158.32, respectively). Women who underestimated weight status felt more comfortable with their weight (59.3% vs. 20.6, < 0.001) and agreed a large stomach is a sign of good health (40.7% vs. 5.9%, < 0.001) versus those who correctly estimated. Underestimation of weigh status was highly prevalent and associated with unhealthy beliefs. Future public health programs must be culturally sensitive and tailored to specific groups within the population.
成年人肥胖的流行率在拉丁美洲已达到流行程度，这对医疗保健系统造成了巨大的压力。研究表明，体重感知方面的文化差异可能是实施减肥策略时的一个障碍。本研究旨在调查秘鲁女性体重感知错误的流行率，并评估其相关因素。
在秘鲁北部的圣马丁共招募了 236 名女性。收集了参与者的社会人口统计学特征以及对体重和健康的态度。使用 10 分制评估自我感知的体重状况，并将其与测量的体重指数（BMI）进行比较。进行了多因素逻辑回归分析，以确定与体重状况低估相关的因素。
根据 BMI，共有 65.2%的女性被归类为超重/肥胖，但只有 15.2%的女性自我感知为超重/肥胖。共有 70.4%的女性低估了自己的体重状况，没有报告体重状况高估的情况。超重和肥胖女性比体重正常女性更有可能低估自己的体重状况（OR：34.24，95%CI：11.55-101.45；OR：42.06，95%CI：11.17-158.32）。低估体重状况的女性对自己的体重感觉更舒适（59.3%比 20.6%，<0.001），并且更认同大肚腩是健康的标志（40.7%比 5.9%，<0.001），而不是那些正确估计的女性。
体重状况的低估非常普遍，与不健康的信念有关。未来的公共卫生计划必须具有文化敏感性，并针对特定人群量身定制。
