title: The Role of Lifestyle and Psycho-Social Factors in Predicting Changes in Body Composition in Black South African Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine whether lifestyle and psycho-social factors determine changes in body composition over 10 years in a population of black African females with a high prevalence of obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 430 women at baseline and 10-year follow-up. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived body fat mass and fat free soft tissue mass, and simple anthropometric measures were taken at both time points. Data on physical activity (PA), diet, smoking, and alcohol intake were collected at baseline. Body size dissatisfaction and body size discrepancy were determined at baseline using the feel minus ideal (FID) index and the perceived minus actual weight status discrepancy score (PAD), respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All body composition measurements increased over 10 years (p<0.0005). Two distinct groups of overweight/obese females were identified using PAD and FID: one that was content with their body size and one that wished to be leaner. Vigorous PA at baseline was inversely associated with absolute changes in all measures of adiposity. In subjects who underestimated their body size at baseline (74.0% of the study population) changes in total and peripheral levels of body fat were less than in subjects who correctly identified their body size. In the group that underestimated body size, more women wanted to be leaner than in the group who knew their body size (60.1% vs 47.5%, p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Underestimation of body size is common and is associated with a lower gain in total body adiposity and a prevalent desire to lose weight.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (CESSM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Philippe Jean-Luc
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gradidge
authors.affiliation: MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shane A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Micklesfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Nigel J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Crowther
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D001823:Body Composition; D049628:Body Size; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data