title: Weight loss expectations and body dissatisfaction in young women attempting to lose weight.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unrealistic weight loss expectations (WLEs) and greater body dissatisfaction may be associated with the poor long-term outcomes of dietary and lifestyle weight loss treatments. We evaluated the association between body size, WLEs and body dissatisfaction in young women attempting to lose weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four young healthy women [age range 18-35 years, body mass index (BMI) range 23-40 kg/m2] were recruited. Women were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI <30.0 kg/m2). The Body Dissatisfaction scale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Body Image Assessment for Obesity silhouette charts were used to assess body dissatisfaction. WLEs were categorised according to personal (ideal, happiness, satisfaction, weight history), lifestyle (fitness) and social (career, family acceptance, peer acceptance, mass media, social pressure) factors. Individual WLEs were compared with recommended clinical targets (5%, 10% and 20%) for weight loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body dissatisfaction was lower in non-obese subjects and was directly associated with BMI (P < 0.05). WLEs were directly associated with BMI and the obese group reported greater expectations. Five non-obese subjects (23%) desired to lose more than 20% of their body weight, whereas the proportion was significantly higher in the obese group (17 subjects; 74%). Subjects derived the greatest WLEs from mass media, whereas they perceived that family and friends were supportive of a lesser degree of weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a mismatch between clinical and personal expectations, and social pressure and interpersonal relationships appear to have a prominent role with respect to influencing the association.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle on Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siervo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montagnese
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muscariello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: B C M
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iannetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colantuoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: body image; mass media; obesity treatment; weight loss