Accuracy, determinants, and consequences of body weight self-perception in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy, determinants, and consequences of body weight self-perception in type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
We studied 1272 community-based patients and a 518-patient overweight/obese subset who returned for ≥4 annual reviews. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify baseline predictors of correct weight self-perception and to determine whether correct weight self-perception predicted future weight loss. Overweight and obesity were defined as body mass indices of 25.0-29.9 and ≥30.0 kg/m(2), respectively.


RESULTS
Of the patients who were overweight (40.0%) or obese (41.8%) at baseline, 52.8% and 83.7%, respectively, correctly self-identified their weight category. Overweight/obese participants who self-identified correctly were more likely to have been informed they were overweight (P<.001), predominantly by their general practitioner (80.1%). Overweight participants had less self-awareness if they were not abdominally obese, did not speak English fluently, were male, or had a low income. Obese participants were more likely to consider themselves overweight if they had better diabetes knowledge and higher educational attainment. Correct weight self-perception did not influence subsequent weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care professionals can facilitate body weight self-awareness in type 2 diabetes. Education programmes should recognise the impact of gender and socio-demographic variables on accurate weight self-perception.
Van Minnen
Kylie
K
Fremantle Hospital, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.
Davis
Wendy A
WA
Bruce
David G
DG
Davis
Timothy M E
TM
D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011203:Poverty; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D015431:Weight Loss