Body weight dissatisfaction in the Icelandic adult population: a normative discontent?
BACKGROUND
Body weight dissatisfaction is a common problem in many modern societies and it appears to have grown over time. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of body weight dissatisfaction among 18- to 79-year-old Icelanders. The distribution of body weight dissatisfaction according to the WHO body mass index criteria for underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity was also assessed.


METHODS
The study was based on 5832 participants in the cross-sectional survey 'Health and Well-Being of Icelanders', administered by the Public Health Institute in Iceland in the fall of 2007.


RESULTS
Around 43% of adult Icelanders are dissatisfied with their own body weight (50% of females; 35% of males) and 72% believe they need to lose weight (80% of females; 63% of males). Despite being in normal range according to the WHO-based BMI criteria, 64% of females in that category believe they need to lose weight. Multivariate results show that indicators of socio-economic status (SES) are not significantly associated with body weight dissatisfaction among females, while among males, those with university education are more often dissatisfied than those with secondary education (OR = 1.5, P < 0.05; for self-perceived need to lose weight, estimates are OR = 1.4, P < 0.05 for females, and OR = 2.5, P < 0.001 for males).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of body dissatisfaction is so prominent among Icelandic female adults that it can rightfully be labelled a normative discontent in this population.
Reykjavik University, School of Health and Education, Reykjavik, Iceland. alfgeir@ru.is
Erna
E
Matthiasdottir
Stefan Hrafn
SH
Jonsson
Alfgeir Logi
AL
Kristjansson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult