Intrinsic Or Extrinsic Motivation In Perceiving Body Weight Among Iranian Women: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Yazarloo Sara , Sarbakhash Parvin , Shokrvash Behjat , Ebahimi-Mamghani Mehrangiz , Hariri-Akbari Maral , Shahedifar Nasrin 
Published: May 2021

Background: Obesity and overweight are among the major global health problems. The aim of this study was to identify female BMI predictors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 480 women aged 15-49 years in Ramian city of Golestan province. The ethical code: IR.TBZMED.REC1396.688. The sample population was selected through simple random sampling among healthy women who were covered by health centers, with their consent. Data collection using several valid questionnaires and scales including demographic questionnaire, family property, motivation measurement, physical activity levels and flexibility was performed using the new version of the valid International Adult Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), visual analogue scale (VAS) and Body Mass Index (VAS). Descriptive and analytical statistical methods including percentage, Mean (M) Standard Deviation (SD), Chi-Square, and t-test were used. Predictors of women's BMI levels (normal, overweight, obese and very obese) were used as dependent variables. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software version 21 at a significance level of p<0.05.Results: Out of the total number of women participating in the study, 64.68% were in the age group of 25-39 years, 69.58% were housewives, 46.31% had low economic status and 5.73% had high economic status. The obesity ratio in women 40 years and older was 43.5%. BMI showed a significant difference with women's Body Image (BI) (P <0.01), which in turn defined the levels of women's physical activity (P< 0.01). That is, 7.23% of women with obesity image of their body engaged in moderate, and 1.7% engaged in intense physical activity.The Odd Ratio(OR) of women being in the upper BMI ranks: age[OR=1.32, 95%CI(0.99-1.05)]; occupation(unemployed) [OR=0.59,95%CI(0.35-1.00)]; SES(low) [OR=0.90, 95%CI = (0.16-4.92)]; with increasing score of attitude towards eating too much was [OR=1.32, 95% CI(0.99-1.05)]; attitude towards eating less or eliminating unhealthy or high fat foods such as sweets was [OR=0.69, 95 % CI(0.38-1.26)]; and processed foods such as sausages was [OR= 0.91, 95% CI(0.61-1.36)]; attitude (Intrinsic motivation) to exercise or to walk for at least 30 minutes daily was [OR= 1.13,95% CI(0.72-1.77)]; perceiving the importance of the spouse's opinion (external motivation) about her body shape was [OR=0.88, 95% CI (0.68-1.13)];and about body weight as well as body weight control was [OR = 0.86,95% CI (0.64-1.18)]; Weight control was achieved through control food intake [OR=1.34, 95% CI (0.95-1.99)]; and through light and sedentary levels of physical activity [OR=0.97, 95% CI (0.55-1.68)].Conclusion: The intrinsic motivation of women; that is , their attitude towards eating a lot was the predictor of high levels of BMI; while extrinsic motivation of women related to weight, body shape, eating less, avoiding unhealthy foods, and physical activity were among the predictors of low levels of BMI.Identifying the motivations for women with high BMI levels is not only vital for weight control, but also is one of the essential prerequisites for public health care system.