Effect of Weight Satisfaction on Accuracy of Body Weight Estimation
Rachel Bomysoad, Hallie Espel, B.I.S., Mayra Perez, Brittany Bentley, & Jena Shaw, M.S.
Department of Psychology, Drexel University
METHODS CONTINUED
INTRODUCTION
• Satisfaction with weight and shape may also play
a role, though few studies have examined this
relationship.
– This may have to do with body image
concerns either resulting in:
1. More self-weighing
2. Avoidance of self-weighing
+ x
PRIMARY HYPOTHESES
• We sought to test the hypothesis that individuals
would differ on weight reporting accuracy
according to level of body dissatisfaction.
– Hypothesis 1: Weight Reporting Accuracy
will depend on level of Weight Satisfaction
– Hypothesis 2: Weight Reporting Accuracy
will be negatively associated with BMI
METHODS
Participants
• Participants (N = 81; 61.2% female) were
recruited as part of a larger study aimed at
reducing soda consumption among college
students.
• The average participant:
– Age = 21.34 years
– BMI = 24.97
– Weight Underestimation = 5.25 lbs.
• Self Reported Height* • Self Reported Weight** • Satisfaction with Current Weight • Measured Weight
*Height was only recorded via the self-report measure
**Participants were not informed at the time of the online survey that their weight would be measured
Participant Classification
• Weight-Dissatisfied
• Weight-Neutral
Figure 1. Mean BMI Across Weight
Satisfaction Groups
Dissatisfied = 28.62; Neutral = 23.80;
Satisfied = 22.62
BMI
• Many factors are associated with reduced
accuracy of self-reported weight. For example:
– High body mass index (BMI) predicts
underestimation of weight
– Frequency of self-weighing corresponds to
increased accuracy
– Females tend to underreport
Measures
• Weight-Satisfied
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Weight Satisfaction Level
Satisfied
• Weight Reporting Accuracy was calculated using the following equation:
∴ Weight Difference Score = Measured Weight – Self Reported Weight
∴ Larger positive values = greater underestimation of actual weight
∴ Negative values = overestimated actual weight
RESULTS
Effect of Weight Satisfaction on Weight Reporting Accuracy
• Omnibus results from the one-way ANOVA revealed that Weight Reporting Accuracy depended on level of
weight satisfaction (F(2, 62.43) = 2.95, p = .06).
• Post-hoc Games-Howell comparison results:
• Weight-dissatisfied participants were less accurate than weight-satisfied participants (SEdiff = 2.12;
approached significance: p = .07)
10
9
8
7
Mean
Difference =
4.91
6
5
4
Mean
Difference
= 4.63
3
2
1
0
Dissatisfied
Conclusions
• Weight dissatisfaction was associated with
greater underestimation of weight, but was also
confounded with BMI
• Elevations in BMI may lead to greater
dissatisfaction with weight and therefore a
tendency to underreport one’s actual weight
• Limitations include: use of a single question to
measure weight satisfaction
Future Directions
Analytic Strategy
Weight Underestimation (lbs)
• Knowledge of one’s body weight is crucial to
healthy weight maintenance.
DISCUSSION
Neutral
Weight Satisfaction Level
Satisfied
Figure 2. Mean Weight Underestimated Across Weight Satisfaction Groups
Dissatisfied = 8.58; Neutral = 3.96; Satisfied = 3.67
Confounding Effect of BMI
• Addition of BMI as covariate (one-way ANCOVA)
– Effect of weight satisfaction on weight reporting accuracy
was no longer significant (F(2, 77) = .35, p = .71)
• Use more well-validated
measures of weight
satisfaction
• Directly test whether
weight dissatisfaction
mediates the relationship
between BMI and underreporting
• Explore whether social
desirability mediates
relationship between BMI
and weight reporting
accuracy
REFERENCES
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Social desirability, eating disorder symptomatology, and accuracy
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Gunnare, N. A., Silliman, K., & Morris, M. N. (2013). Accuracy of
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satisfaction, weighing behavior, and physical activity among rural
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Lin, C. J., DeRoo, L. A., Jacobs, S. R., & Sandler, D. P. (2012).
Accuracy and reliability of self-reported weight and height in the
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Figure 3. BMI was associated with decreased
accuracy (F(1, 77) = 7.61, p < .01)
Rachel Bomysoad
RNB48@drexel.edu