Is accurate perception of body image associated with appropriate weight-control behavior among adolescents of the seychelles

Background. we examined body image perception and its association with reported weight-control behavior among adolescents in the seychelles. methods. we conducted a school-based survey of 1432 students aging 11-17 years in the seychelles. perception of body image was assessed using both a closed-ended question (ceq) and stunkard's pictorial silhouettes (sps). voluntary attempts to change weight were also assessed. results. a substantial proportion of the overweight students did not consider themselves as overweight (sps: 24%,ceq: 34%),and a substantial proportion of the normal-weight students considered themselves as too thin (sps: 29%,ceq: 15%). logistic regression analysis showed that students with an accurate weight perception were more likely to have appropriate weight-control behavior. conclusions. we found that substantial proportions of students had an inaccurate perception of their weight and that weight perception was associated with weight-control behavior. these findings point to forces that can drive the upwards overweight trends. © 2011 heba alwan et al.