Background: Weight satisfaction is an important determinant of weight-related behaviors and may result in overweight, obesity or eating disorders. To assess weight satisfaction and its related factors, including dietary intake and spouse- related factors, in adult women.
Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study carried out in North of Iran. Through random sampling, 450 women aged 22-55 years under coverage of health centers were recruited from May 2012 to February 2013. Data were collected by face to face interviewing the individuals. Participants’ height, and weight and waist circumferences were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. We used the 24-hour recall questionnaire to estimate food intake in two days of the week. Weight satisfaction was evaluated through questioning. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the major factors related to weight satisfaction.
Results: Weight satisfaction was 62.4% among women. About 70% of women were overweight or obese (BMI≥ 25 kg/m2). The odds of weight dissatisfaction were higher in younger, healthy individuals and those who take more caffeine on a daily basis. Moreover, the odds of weight dissatisfaction were lower in underweight/normal weight (BMI< 25 kg/m2) women and the overweight women. In addition, the rate of dissatisfaction was significantly higher in women who believed their husbands are dissatisfied about their weight and women whose husbands were in fact dissatisfied about their weight.
Conclusion: Weight satisfaction was prevalent in participants and related to age, disease status, caffeine intake, BMI and husband-related factors.