Results indicated that perceived overweight was associated with an increased likelihood of attempting weight loss and with healthy and unhealthy weight control strategies in some participant groups .
However , perceived overweight was not reliably associated with physical activity or healthy eating and was associated with greater disordered eating in some groups .
Rather than being associated with improved weight management , there was consistent evidence that perceived overweight was predictive of increased weight gain over time .
Individuals who perceive their weight status as overweight are more likely to report attempting weight loss but over time gain more weight
It is commonly assumed that a person identifying that they are ' overweight ' is an important prerequisite to successful weight management .
However , there has been no systematic evaluation of evidence supporting this proposition .
The aim of the present research was to systematic ally review evidence on the relationship between perceived overweight and ( i ) weight loss attempts , ( ii )  weight control strategies ( healthy and unhealthy )  , ( iii ) weight-related behaviours ( physical activity and eating habits ) , ( iv ) disordered eating and ( v ) weight change .
Perceived weight status and weight change among a U.S. adult sample.
OBJECTIVE Examine bidirectional associations between weight perception and weight change over time among adults . METHODS Data are from adult employees ( N = 623 ) across 12 U.S. public high schools participating in a cluster-r and omized multilevel weight gain prevention intervention . Data were collected at baseline , 12 months , and 24 months . Perceived weight status ( very/somewhat underweight , just right , somewhat overweight , very overweight ) were obtained via self-administered surveys . Weight ( kg ) was measured by trained staff . Change in weight was calculated as the difference between baseline weight and weight at each follow-up time point . Structural equation models were used to assess bidirectional associations of perceived weight status and change in weight over time . Models were adjusted for study condition , gender , age , race/ethnicity , education level , and previous time point . RESULTS The sample was 65 % female with a mean age of 44.6 ( SD = 11.3 ) . Nearly two thirds of the sample consisted of people with overweight ( 38.8 % ) or obesity ( 27.3 % ) . Structural equation models indicated that baseline weight predicted subsequent perceived weight status ( β = 0.26 ; P < 0.001 ) , whereas baseline perceived weight status did not predict subsequent change in weight , adjusting for previous time point and covariates . CONCLUSIONS Results do not support bidirectional causality between weight perception and weight change in an adult sample
Results indicated that perceived overweight was associated with an increased likelihood of attempting weight loss and with healthy and unhealthy weight control strategies in some participant groups .
However , perceived overweight was not reliably associated with physical activity or healthy eating and was associated with greater disordered eating in some groups .
Rather than being associated with improved weight management , there was consistent evidence that perceived overweight was predictive of increased weight gain over time .
Individuals who perceive their weight status as overweight are more likely to report attempting weight loss but over time gain more weight
It is commonly assumed that a person identifying that they are ' overweight ' is an important prerequisite to successful weight management .
However , there has been no systematic evaluation of evidence supporting this proposition .
The aim of the present research was to systematic ally review evidence on the relationship between perceived overweight and ( i ) weight loss attempts , ( ii )  weight control strategies ( healthy and unhealthy )  , ( iii ) weight-related behaviours ( physical activity and eating habits ) , ( iv ) disordered eating and ( v ) weight change .