2001 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 97-100
The behavior to maintain the body weight in an appropriate range was evaluated in 369 females aged 18-69 years. The following three indices were derived as scales of the weight-control behavior from the present body weight (A), target body weight (B), and standard body weight (C). (1) Whether the subject wished to reduce or increase the weight (A-B) : A positive value means the desire to reduce the body weight, and a negative value means the desire to increase it. (2) The strength of determination [(A-B)/A×100] : Since the absolute value of (A-B) is affected by the present body weight (A), it was corrected for the effect of the present body weight (A) to compare the strength of determination among groups in different body weight ranges. A negatively larger value indicates stronger desire to increase the body weight, and a positively larger value indicates stronger desire to reduce the body weight. (3) Validity of the target body weight [(B-C)/A×100] : The target body weight is considered more valid as this value is closer to zero. Evaluation was made by dividing into three age groups. The desire to reduce the weight was observed in all three age groups. The strength of determination to control weight showed no significant difference among the three age categories. However, significant differences were observed in the validity of the target body weight, being less valid in those aged 18-24 years and more valid in those aged 50-69 years. A positive correlation was observed between the strength of determination to control weight and the parameters of obesity. The desire to reduce the body weight was stronger in more obese subjects, and the desire to increase the body weight was stronger in leaner subjects. The parameter of obesity that was most closely related to the strength of determination was the body mass index in all age categories. On comparison of the correlation coefficient among the age categories, the relationship between the sum of subcutaneous fat thickness and the strength of determination was closer in those aged 50-69 years than in the younger subjects. These results suggest that the perception of the appropriate body weight in females should be undertaken for health consultation, and information concerning obese indices that may motivate them to control the body weight differed by age categories.
