Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of weight misperception or dissatisfaction among individuals of normal BMI on their long-term weight changes. METHODS: Data from the three follow-ups of the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study (2009-2012, 2014-2017, and 2018-2021) conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. Participants with a BMI < 25 kg/m(2) were eligible. Weight misperception/dissatisfaction was assessed by questionnaires. Weight change over a 5- or 10-year period was categorized as stable (±5 kg), loss (<-5 kg), or gain (>+5 kg). RESULTS: Overall, 1826 (66.1% women, 55.9 ± 9.9 years) and 1089 (62.7% women, 61.2 ± 9.6 years) participants of surveys 2009-2012 and 2014-2017, respectively, were retained for analysis. Prevalence of weight misperception was 15.9% (95% CI: 14.2-17.6) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.6-13.5) in 2009-2012 and 2014-2017, respectively. The corresponding values for weight dissatisfaction were 28.9% (95% CI: 26.8-31.0) and 20.9% (95% CI: 18.6-23.5). After multivariable analysis, participants with weight misperception/dissatisfaction had a higher likelihood (p < 0.05) of presenting with weight loss: for weight misperception, odds ratio and 95% CI: 2.29 (1.30-4.02) and 2.66 (1.24-5.69) for 2009-2012 and 2014-2017, respectively; the corresponding values for weight dissatisfaction were 2.02 (1.22-3.35) and 2.40 (1.23-4.65). No associations between weight misperception/dissatisfaction with weight gain were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that weight misperception/dissatisfaction in normal-weight, middle-aged individuals was associated with weight loss over time.