DETERMINANTS OF MISPERCEPTION OF WEIGHT STATUS AMONG A COMMUNITY OF ADULTS IN THE REGION OF SOUSSE, TUNISIA

Aim: To determine the prevalence of misperception of body weight status among Tunisian adults in the region of Sousse and examine its associated factors. Materials and Methods: The studied population was randomly selected from three districts of the region of Sousse. Our sample was composed of all adults aged from 18 to 65 years living in these selected districts. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, and self-reported weight and height. We collected biometric measures of height and weight. For multivariate analysis, we used Multinomial regression where reference group was composed of participants who well or over estimated their weight status. Results: Prevalence of obesity based on self-reported weight and height was 15.2%. The prevalence of measured obesity was 31.7% (p < 0.001). Correct estimation of weight status was 74.3%, 65.5% and 90.9% respectively among participants who reported being normal weight, overweight and obese. Underestimation of weight status was 9.4% among overweight and 9.1% among obese according to their reported weight and height. Multivariate analysis showed that obese participants had higher risk of under estimation. However students had lower risk of under estimation of weight status. Conclusion: We should take into account social circumstances when designing obesity preventive and treatment interventions.