title: Association of self-perceived body image with body mass index and type 2 diabetes-The ADDITION-PRO study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Weight loss is important for prevention of type 2 diabetes and an accurate self-perceived body image can promote weight reduction. We evaluated the association of self-perceived body image with body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Danish ADDITION-PRO cohort study (2009-2011) were used. A total of 2082 men and women attended a health examination including assessment of BMI, waist circumference, the Stunkard scale of self-perceived obesity and an oral glucose tolerance test for assessment of diabetes risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (SD) age was 66.2 (6.9) years and 24% were obese (BMI ≥30kg/m(2)). However, only 7% of obese men and 11% of obese women perceived themselves as obese. Among obese women, for a given level of BMI and waist circumference, one unit higher self-perceived body image was associated with 52% (95% CI: 14-73) lower risk of having type 2 diabetes and 45% (95% CI: 12-65) lower risk of having pre-diabetes. Overweight, but not obese, men had a 35% (95% CI: 36-56) lower risk of type 2 diabetes per unit increase in body image.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese individuals seem to underestimate their body shape. However, having a realistic body image (higher self-perceived obesity) is independently associated with lower diabetes risk. Self-perceived body image might serve as a valuable tool for type 2 diabetes risk assessment.
authors.affiliation: Steno Diabetes Center A/S, Gentofte, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Section of General Practices, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: mettebjerggaard@mail.com.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bjerggaard
authors.affiliation: Steno Diabetes Center A/S, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Annelotte
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philipsen
authors.affiliation: Steno Diabetes Center A/S, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marit E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of General Practices, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of General Practices, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of General Practices, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Annelli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandbæk
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of General Practices, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lauritzen
authors.affiliation: Steno Diabetes Center A/S, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Færch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Body image; Body mass index; Type 2 diabetes