Psychosocial and Diet-Related Lifestyle Clusters in Overweight and Obesity.

This study explored intraindividual multidimensional profiles integrating psychosocial factors, namely, body image and satisfaction, weight-related self-stigma, positivity, and happiness, and behavioural-lifestyle factors, namely, adherence to a healthy diet, among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. We further aimed to investigate the association of excess weight (i.e., measured body mass index, BMI) with the abovementioned multidimensional configurations. A convenience sample of 100 adult individuals (60% females) with excessive weight (69% overweight; 31% obesity) was recruited. They completed self-reports regarding the study variables, and their weight and height were measured. With a perspective centered on the individual, a cluster analysis was performed. Three distinct intraindividual psychosocial and diet-related profiles were identified: a group of healthy individuals with excess weight (46%); a group of individuals who were negatively affected by their excessive weight and showed the most distressed profile (18%); and a group of dysfunctional individuals who seemed to be excessively unrealistic and optimistic regarding their excessive weight and unhealthy lifestyles, but were troubled by their weight (36%). Furthermore, individuals in the affected cluster had higher obesity (mean BMI ± SD = 32.1 ± 3.7) than those in the clusters of healthy (28.0 ± 3.0) and dysfunctional individuals (28.1 ± 3.3) (p < 0.05). The results showed that there are specific psychosocial and lifestyle profiles in the adult population with excess weight and that there are relationships among psychological, behavioural, and body-composition factors. For clinical application purposes, it is important to account for the heterogeneity within individuals who are obese and to individualize the interventions, with a focus from weight change to the individual's overall well-being.

Considering BMI, Body Image and Desired Weight Change for Suitable Obesity Management Options.

With prevalence of obesity increasing worldwide, understanding body image in individuals with excessive weight is important, as unawareness of weight excess can prevent weight loss attempts. We explored the associations among measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI), body image and body satisfaction among Spanish females and males with overweight or obesity, with a special focus in discriminating individuals who are and are not satisfied with their body and wish or not to change their appearance. Just unifying all individuals with excessive weight may lead to uncover or deny different realities and to develop unfitted clinical management options. Updating findings for the Spanish population, we found that most participants correctly estimated their weight, but 3 in 10 underestimated it. Similarly, their body images corresponded to adults with overweight or obesity who desired to be thinner, but in average they reported a perceived body just slightly overweight and a moderate satisfaction with their body. Complementing the existing evidence, BMI and sex-gender interacted for influencing body weight estimation and desired weight change. In addition, three different subgroups were found for desired change of weight and size, depending on their BMI and body satisfaction. Discovering and considering different subjective realities and corporeal experiences among individuals with weight excess will help professionals to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions. Thus, the personal experiences that individuals have with obesity, instead of obesity itself, should be considered for disentangling management efforts.

Body Satisfaction, Weight Stigma, Positivity, and Happiness among Spanish Adults with Overweight and Obesity.

Although previous evidence suggests that happiness is lower among individuals with obesity, research on the correlates of subjective well-being (SWB) is warranted to increase our knowledge. We aim to explore excess weight (i.e., measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI)), body image and satisfaction, self-stigma, positivity, and happiness among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. We further aim to investigate the predictors of SWB in this sample. A convenience sample of 100 individuals with excess weight completed self-reports on the study variables and were weighed and their height measured. On average, the participants reported body perceptions revealing minor excessive weight, moderate body satisfaction, low-to-moderate weight-related stigma, and elevated positivity and happiness. BMI and gender/sex independently affected these variables, but there were no significant interaction effects. Furthermore, individuals with overweight or obesity with higher body satisfaction and elevated positivity were more likely to report being happy, independent of their age, gender/sex, weight, and weight-related stigma. Mediation effects were found for body satisfaction and positivity in the relationship between weight and happiness. Moreover, positive orientation suppressed the pervasive influence of stigma on SWB. Our findings confirm the key role of body image dimensions and weight-related stigma for happiness and add support to the relevance of positivity for overall well-being of individuals with excess weight. These results may inform obesity management actions focused on inclusive aesthetic models, combating social stigmatization and enhancing positivity for a flourishing and fulfilling life.

Considering BMI, body image and desired weight change for suitable obesity management options

With prevalence of obesity increasing worldwide, understanding body image in individuals with excessive weight is important, as unawareness of weight excess can prevent weight loss attempts. We explored the associations among measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI), body image and body satisfaction among Spanish females and males with overweight or obesity, with a special focus in discriminating individuals who are and are not satisfied with their body and wish or not to change their appearance. Just unifying all individuals with excessive weight may lead to uncover or deny different realities and to develop unfitted clinical management options. Updating findings for the Spanish population, we found that most participants correctly estimated their weight, but 3 in 10 underestimated it. Similarly, their body images corresponded to adults with overweight or obesity who desired to be thinner, but in average they reported a perceived body just slightly overweight and a moderate satisfaction with their body. Complementing the existing evidence, BMI and sex-gender interacted for influencing body weight estimation and desired weight change. In addition, three different subgroups were found for desired change of weight and size, depending on their BMI and body satisfaction. Discovering and considering different subjective realities and corporeal experiences among individuals with weight excess will help professionals to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions. Thus, the personal experiences that individuals have with obesity, instead of obesity itself, should be considered for disentangling management efforts

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Estrategias para el manejo del cuerpo en adultos jóvenes: interacción entre las percepciones corporales, la edad y el sexo / Body management behaviors in young adults: interactions among body perceptions, age and gender

La percepción del cuerpo y la satisfacción con el mismo se asocian con conductas saludables y de riesgo de manejo del cuerpo con importantes consecuencias para la salud. En este estudio se exploran las conductas que usan hombres y mujeres en su adultez temprana para controlar el peso, tamaño, forma y composición corporales. La imagen corporal (IC) y la satisfacción corporal (SC) se evaluaron a través de siluetas, preguntas y discrepancias, y las prácticas conductuales de control del cuerpo a través de un cuestionario. Los participantes informaron de un uso moderadamente elevado de estrategias saludables y bajo de estrategias de riesgo. ANOVAs de 2 y 3 factores indicaron que una IC más negativa y una SC menor se asocian con un mayor uso de estrategias saludables y, particularmente, de riesgo de manejo del cuerpo, y que el sexo, y no tanto la edad, modera esta relación, mostrando las mujeres mayor uso de ambos tipos de estrategias. Nuestros resultados son interesantes para el diseño de intervenciones destinadas a mejorar las percepciones corporales basadas en conductas saludables

Body perceptions and body satisfaction are associated with healthy and risk body change behaviors with important consequences for health. In this study, the behaviors that men and women in their early young adulthood and late young adulthood used to control body weight, size, shape, and composition were explored. Body image (BI) and body satisfaction (BS) were assessed through silhouettes, questions and discrepancies, and body management behavioral practices with a questionnaire. Participants reported a moderately high use of healthy strategies and low use of maladaptive strategies. Two- and three-way between-subjects ANOVAs indicated that a more negative BI and lower BS were associated with a greater use of both healthy and, particularly, risk body management strategies, and that gender, more than age, moderates this relationship, with women demonstrating a higher use of both type of bodymanagement strategies. Our results are interesting for the design of interventions aimed at improving body perceptions with a focus on healthy behaviors