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. 2008 Jun;105(23):406-12.
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0406. Epub 2008 Jun 6.

Perceived or true obesity: which causes more suffering in adolescents? Findings of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)

Bärbel-Maria Kurth  1 , Ute Ellert
Affiliations

Perceived or true obesity: which causes more suffering in adolescents? Findings of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)

Bärbel-Maria Kurth et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: The consequences of perceived obesity on quality of life are compared with those of genuine obesity in adolescents.

Methods: Within the framework of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), the height and weight of the participants were measured. Children over 11 years of age were asked whether they thought of themselves as underweight, normal, or overweight. As a measure of their health-related quality of life they completed the internationally employed KINDL-R generic questionnaire.

Results: While 74.8% of 11- to 17-year-old girls and boys are of normal weight, only 40.4% believe that they are "just the right weight." Only 60.9% of obese girls and 32.2% of obese boys think of themselves as overweight. The data showed that genuinely obese adolescents, as classified by body mass index, have a better quality of life than those who only perceive themselves as being overweight.

Discussion: A realistic body image on the part of obese adolescents is a prerequisite for their acceptance of interventions. The marked deterioration in quality of life resulting from perceived obesity, even for young people of normal weight, illustrates the complexity of the struggle against obesity.

Keywords: adolescent; body weight; child; obesity; perception; quality of life; survey.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Obesity in boys and girls in the 11- to 13- and 14- to 17-year age group according to social status (measurements based on parent information about their school education and occupational qualification, occupational position, and net household income)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of BMI classes among 11- to 17-year-old boys and girls
Figure 3
Figure 3
Body self-image in 11- to 17-year-old boys and girls
Figure 4
Figure 4
Body self-image of normal-weight 11- to 17-year-old boys and girls
Figure 5
Figure 5
Body self-image of obese 11- to 17-year-old boys and girls
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • The paradoxes of body weight.
    Hebebrand J. Hebebrand J. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 Jun;105(23):404-5. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0404. Epub 2008 Jun 6. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008. PMID: 19626162 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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