Weight misperception and frequency of fast food consumption among overweight and obese adolescents in the US

Citation

Nikaj, Silda; Amialchuk, Aliaksandr; & Ali, Mir M. (2016). Weight misperception and frequency of fast food consumption among overweight and obese adolescents in the US. 2016 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

The literature documents that many overweight individuals misperceive their weight status. However, little research exists on how perceptions of weight are related to eating behaviors such as fast food consumption. This paper examines whether misperception of weight status is linked to fast food consumption among overweight and obese adolescents. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health we find that underestimation of weight status is associated with increased frequency of fast food consumption. Even after accounting for actual weight, perception of weight status is an important determinant of adolescents’ fast food consumption.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/2016%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts_2016_06_16.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2016 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Nikaj, Silda
Amialchuk, Aliaksandr
Ali, Mir M.

Year Published

2016

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6370