Body Mass Index (BMI) is the measure of an individual’s weight in relation to their height. Therefore, BMI is the ratio between the weight of a person measured in kilograms and the square of their height measured in meters, which implies that a unit measure of BMI is kg/m 2 . BMI has been perceived as an indicator of body fatness; however, it is used to determine the excess weight (CDC, 2010). BMI is an efficient method of measuring body fat because it relies only on the height and the weight of a person as opposed to other conventional methods. Practitioners have used BMI to predict future health complications and risks. Moreover, the BMI population data has been used to make comparisons for different subgroups across the globe. Several limitations have been identified when using BMI to make conclusions about body weight. BMI is focused on measuring excess weight as opposed to excess fats in the body. On the other hand, other factors such as ethnicity, age, sex, and muscle mass have not been fully accounted for in BMI-related evaluations (CDC, 2010). Therefore, the perception of BMI has impacted weight-related attitudes and eating habits among different age groups. This essay examines the relationship between BMI and perceived body weight in line with unhealthy behavior and eating habits among individuals.
Body Mass Index and Perceived Body Weight
The knowledge of BMI and how it is used to interpret the notion of excess body weight has created a different perception among affected individuals. The BMI index considers those with a measurement below 18.5 as underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 as normal, between 25.0 and 29.9 as overweight cases, and above 30.0 as obese (CDC, 2010). One’s mental image regarding their body has a significant psychological effect based on how they internalize the harbored ideologies within the social spaces. Body image dissatisfaction and BMI outcomes have been studied and the outcomes used to establish interventions for those who are affected. Senses, feelings, and ideas relating to the body size and image because of excess weight start at an early stage and is built over time (Myers & Crowther, 2007). Individuals who are affected by body image dissatisfaction have faced biological and psychological implications, which in most cases emanate from the cultural and social determinants embedded within the external constructs. The conflict between an ideal body and the perceived body has contributed towards behavioral changes not only among adolescents but also young and older adults. Once an individual is aware of their overweight state, Myers and Crowther (2007) found out that they start being concerned with their figure and weight.
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Perceived overweight and body dissatisfactions are one of the contributors to eating disorder and the associated relapse. Cash and Pruzinsky (2002) found out that women and adolescents who suffered from body image dissatisfaction because of their body weight perception were also diagnosed with an eating disorder. Cross-sectional clinical studies have also shown that people with high BMI measures, for example, those who fall under the overweight and obese categories, tend to develop negative attitudes towards their body image and eventually experience low quality of life (Neumark & Haines, 2004; Mathus, de Weerd, & de Wit, 2004; Myers & Crowther, 2007). Those affected by body dissatisfactions were found to have problems accepting their appearance and committing to improve their physical characteristics. Such a perception informed the decisions that overweight and obese individual subsequently made regarding their lifestyle (Cash, 2002). Although studies documenting the perception of children are limited regardless of the measurement process is the same as adults, BMI outcomes have a strong correlation with the generalized perception on body image (Myers & Crowther, 2007).
Eating disorder diagnosis is common among people with a BMI above 25.0. Although other factors such as gender, age, and race have been listed as risks factors based on clinical outcomes, eating disorder and high BMI have a significant positive relationship. Sociocultural factors that ideologize the weight have contributed towards the negative perceptions among those who are overweight or obese (Umarani, 2014). Gender difference assessments have shown that women are highly affected by eating disorder when compared to men with a BMI above 25.0. On the other hand, failure to adhere to the sociocultural perceptions regarding dieting, weight preoccupation, and pursuit for the desired body shape exacerbate eating disorder among overweight and obese individuals. According to Umarani (2014), health is influenced by diverse factors such as social ambiance, physical circumstances, culture, and psychological perceptions, which amalgamate the bond between the spirit, the body, and the mind. Whenever the mind is clogged with the idea of a deteriorating state of wellness, then the ability to enhance individual defense against stress is also compromised (Umarani, 2014). Such a phenomenon explains why eating disorder and high BMI are inseparable concepts. Extensive exposure to negative perceptions regarding weight and body image cumulatively affects the decisive ability that could be focused on improving body composition and psychological stability (Umarani, 2014).
Moreover, depression is a common occurrence among those affected by negative body weight perceptions. Annesi (2010) found out that depression is among the proximal and distal factors to eating disorder and obesity. Depression leads to escalated levels of anxiety and low moods. Such unstable changes pave the way to behavioral changes that could affect dietary sanity. For example, overeating is an immediate outcome of dysthymia, which is an indicator of a possible chronic depression (Cash, 2002) (Neumark & Haines, 2004; Mathus, de Weerd, & de Wit, 2004; Myers & Crowther, 2007) (Myers & Crowther, 2007) Cash and Pruzinsky (2002) (Annesi, 2010). Studies examining the relationship between increased BMI or body dissatisfaction and depression have shown a positive relationship exists among women, men, adolescents, and in different races (Abdel-Fattah et al., 2008; Simon et al., 2008; Khader et al., 2008). Moreover, clinical evidence indicates that depressive symptoms among obese women is higher than in men and originated from body image perceptions. Although the results from different studies are inconclusive since other variables have not been controlled during statistical analysis, it is apparent that depression and body-related attitude among overweight and obese individual is a critical occurrence (Abdel-Fattah et al., 2008). The pressure is exaggerated by sociocultural homonormative thinking and harbored perceptions regarding the ideal body shape and size (Myers & Crowther, 2007).
Attitude towards high BMI and self-esteem is an equally important aspect of body weight implications. As noted earlier, the obese and overweight individual is at risk of depression, eating disorder, and body dissatisfaction. However, there is yet another psychological dimension that could exacerbate the process of weight loss and enhancement of quality of life. Low self-esteem entails the general assessment of oneself and the subsequent contentment based on the outcomes. According to Wasylkiw, MacKinnon, and MacLellan (2012), an increase in body dissatisfaction leads to a decrease in self-esteem. Severe cases of body dysmorphic disorder among overweight and obese persons have contributed to low self-esteem, which in most cases has been the common trigger of stress and chronic depression. Wasylkiw, MacKinnon, and MacLellan (2012) argued that the negative self-evaluations depicted among obese individuals contributed to a higher level of low self-esteem among women and adolescents than in men. Low self-esteem commonly originates from the attitudes that dominate the society regarding the preferred body shape and size. With increased favoritism towards the skinny body, less weight has created the notion of overweight and obese being unacceptable physical status. On the other hand, the failure to immediately achieve the desired body change milestones among those who are undertaking weight reduction interventions has been part of the contributing factors to low self-esteem (Wasylkiw, MacKinnon, and MacLellan, 2012).
Conclusion
In conclusion, BMI plays a critical role in informing practitioners and individuals about their weight. Obese and overweight statuses have been associated with adverse perceptions contributing to the negative psychological outcomes among those who are affected. Cases of body image dissatisfaction is a common experience among overweight and obese persons. Evidence from empirical assessments also affirms increased depression and low self-esteem among this population. Moreover, eating disorder tendencies have been fueled by negative perception regarding body weight, especially among adolescents and women. Such a phenomenon implies that clinical and social interventions meant to assist people with high BMI should be focused on how to improve the quality of life as well as psychological wellness.
References
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