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.
Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. neighbol@uwm.edu
Lori A
LA
Klos
Valerie E
VE
Esser
Molly M
MM
Kessler
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012945:Social Values; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult