Longitudinal Analysis of Weight Perception and Psychological Factors in Chinese Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations of overweight status and perception with trajectories of psychological distress in adolescents. METHODS: Longitudinal data for 6970 Chinese adolescents were included. The multivariate curve-of-factor latent growth curve models were adopted to examine trajectories of psychological distress symptoms and associations with overweight status and perception. RESULTS: After controlling for actual overweight status, psychological distress symptoms were weakly but significantly associated with overweight perception (γ = 0.08 for boys and γ = 0.10 for girls, P < 0.05) and misperception (γ = 0.06 for boys and γ = 0.09 for girls, P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Our findings help understanding associations of overweight perception and psychological well being of adolescents.