Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations of body weight and body shape concerns and related behaviours with actual weight status among urban adolescent girls. DESIGN: In the present cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on body weight and body shape concerns and related behaviours. Sociodemographic information was collected using a pre-tested schedule. Weight and height of each girl were measured to assess actual weight status. SETTING: Twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, India. SUBJECTS: A total of 1223 adolescent girls aged 14-19 years were selected from nine schools in Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal. RESULTS: Many overweight girls perceived themselves as overweight and engaged in weight-reducing activities. However, several normal-weight girls also perceived them as overweight and attempted to lose weight. Unhealthy eating practices to reduce weight were followed by both overweight and normal-weight girls and even by a few underweight girls. Multivariate binary logistic regression showed a significant association between actual weight status and use of unhealthy weight-loss measures. The likelihood of adopting unhealthy eating practices was significantly higher among overweight than normal-weight girls. CONCLUSIONS: Health education programmes should be introduced at schools to promote effective weight-control practices that help dispel myths about weight loss.