Perception of body weight, image and proportion in elderly women

Abstract

Perceptions of overweight, body image and body proportion were assessed in a sample of elderly community-dwelling white women applying for admission to a cognitive-behavioral weight control program, Dietary Intervention: Evaluation of Technology (D.I.E.T.). The first hypothesis proposed that elderly women would perceive themselves as less overweight than a comparison sample of younger women at equivalent relative body weight. Age was negatively correlated with perception of overweight (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.1899, p {dollar}<{dollar}.0005) and positively correlated with body mass index (r =.3401, p {dollar}<{dollar}.0005), and a significant predictor of perceived overweight (T = {dollar}-{dollar}9.65, df = 1722, p {dollar}<{dollar}.00005).;The second hypothesis proposed that in elderly women, perception of overweight would not be systematically higher or lower than suggested "ideal" weights. "Ideal weights" were based on values from Age-Specific Gerontology Research Center tables and the 1985 Metropolitan Life Insurance Weight for Height Tables. Desirable weights ({dollar}\overline {lcub}X{rcub}{dollar} = 137.65, SD = 13.50) fell below Gerontology Research Center values ({dollar}\overline {lcub}X{rcub}{dollar} = 145.67, SD = 10.41) and above Metropolitan Life values ({dollar}\overline {lcub}X{rcub}{dollar} = 128.50, SD = 7.67).;The third hypothesis proposed that body satisfaction would be more strongly predicted by satisfaction with the abdomen than by satisfaction with other body sites, as measured by a body-cathexis scale. This was not supported.;The fourth hypothesis proposed that dissatisfaction with lower body sites (hips, buttocks and thighs) would be associated with higher body weights. Correlation was not significant (r =.1356, p =.060) with "stomach" included as part of the upper body, but reassigning of "stomach" to the lower body showed significant correlations between both body weight (p =.012) and BMI (p =.041).;Body image is discussed in relation to the aging process. It is suggested that aging may help to buffer against the prevalent societal overconcern with shape and thinness. Tracking body image over time could provide a potentially valuable psychosocial correlate of weight change and help inform the establishment of weight recommendations for elderly women.