Sex-based differences in weight misperception and its related factors among Korean children and adolescents : the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2013

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of parental misperception of their child’s weight, and to explore sex-based differences in socio-demographic factors associated with parental misperception among Korean children. Data on 3,228 children aged 6-11 years were collected from the Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) datasets (2009-2013). The generalized logit model was used to explore sex-based differences in socio-demographic factors associated with parental misperception.

Overall, 27.4% of parents of boys and 23.7% of parents of girls misclassified their child’s weight status. Parents of both boys and girls were more likely to underestimate rather than overestimate their child’s weight. Parental misperception was associated with socio-demographic factors such as age, BMI, place of residence, maternal perception of their own weight, and parental obesity. Particularly, parental obesity was a significant variable only among girls. Understanding parental misperception patterns depending on sex might be the initial step towards desirable interventions for weight control.

Another purpose was to quantify the extent of weight misperception, to explore sex-based differences in socio-demographic factors associated with weight misperception, and to examine sex-based differences in the relationship between weight misperception and health-related factors among Korean adolescents. We selected data on 3,385 adolescents aged 12-18 years from the KNHANES datasets (2009-2013). The generalized logit model was used to explore the relationship between weight misperception and socio-demographic factors, and separate logistic regression models were fitted to examine the association between weight misperception and health-related factors.

Overall, 26.2% of boys and 27.9% of girls misclassified their weight status. Both boys and girls were more likely to overestimate rather than underestimate their weight. Particularly, girls were more than four-times more likely to overestimate rather than underestimate their weight. Weight misperception was associated with socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, BMI, household income, maternal education level, place of residence, and number of family members. Household income was linked to weight overestimation and underestimation among boys. Maternal education level, place of residence, and number of family members were significant variables among girls. Weight overestimation was related to inappropriate weight control practice among girls. However, among boys, both weight underestimation and overestimation were associated with inappropriate weight control practice. Vigorous exercise was negatively associated with weight overestimation only among boys. Drinking experience was also positively associated with weight overestimation among girls. Based on understanding the characteristics of sex-based differences in weight misperception patterns and their association with health-related factors, individualized intervention programs according to sex could be devised for adolescents and their parents.