Influence of weight perception on the evolution of body composition of adolescents under obesity treatment.

The majority of adolescents with obesity under treatment had inaccurate or absent perception of their weight evolution.

• Study analyzed data from 131 adolescents with obesity (BMI Z-Score ≥ 2.0) with valid data from at least two obesity appointments
• 44.3% of participants had a correct perception of their weight evolution
• 41.4% perceived an increase in weight when they actually experienced weight loss
• 7.1% reported having no perception at all of their weight evolution
• This was an exploratory, longitudinal, retrospective study conducted in an Adolescent Obesity Clinic

Lack of perception of weight evolution was associated with an increase in hip circumference.

• β = 1.021; 95% CI: 0.791 to 1.318
• R² = 31.6%
• p = .012

Correct perception of weight gain was associated with a greater increase in BMI compared to wrong perception of weight loss.

• Correct perception of weight gain: β = 5.833; 95% CI: 2.223 to 15.304; R² = 67.2%; p < .001
• Wrong perception of weight loss: β = .131; 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.292; R² = 85%; p < .001
• Both associations were statistically significant at p < .001

Inaccurate and lack of perception of weight change was highly prevalent even under regular clinical monitoring in a specialized obesity clinic.

• The study setting was a specialized Adolescent Obesity Clinic with regular clinical follow-up
• Despite regular monitoring, misperception and absence of perception remained common
• These misperceptions were associated with unfavorable changes in body composition

Accurate perception of weight change was identified as a clinically relevant factor linked to body composition evolution in adolescents with obesity.

• The authors concluded that accurate perception of body weight changes may positively influence body composition
• The findings underscore the clinical importance of assessing and addressing weight perception during adolescent obesity treatment
• Weight status misperception was described as potentially acting as a barrier to effective weight management