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Abstract

Background: Obesity continues to rise globally and remains a major public health challenge, contributing significantly to the burden of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions. One key barrier to effective weight management is the misperception of body image, where individuals fail to accurately assess their weight status. Encouraging accurate self-awareness through health education and behavioral interventions is crucial for promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing obesity-related complications.
Objective: To determine the level of agreement between actual and perceived body image among the general population of Lahore.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore over a six-month period, following ethical approval from the institutional review board. A total of 300 individuals were selected using simple random sampling from urban and rural areas. Data were collected using a validated Figure Rating Scale, which included sections on demographic information and self-perceived body image. Actual body weight status was assessed through direct measurements of height and weight to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). The degree of agreement between perceived and actual body image was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa statistics and Pearson correlation.
Results: Of the 300 participants, 47.5% were male (n=143) and 52.5% female (n=157). Based on BMI, 6% were underweight, 47.3% normal, 27.7% overweight, and 19% obese. In contrast, perceived weight status revealed 7.7% as underweight, 39.3% as normal, 45% as overweight, and 8% as obese. The mean BMI was 25.51±5.62 and the mean figure rating score was 4.81±1.75. A strong positive correlation was observed (r=0.74, p<0.05). The overall agreement between actual and perceived body weight status was 53.88%, with 46.12% showing disagreement.
Conclusion: There was a weak agreement between perceived and actual body image, highlighting a substantial gap in self-awareness. Promoting body image awareness through targeted education may play a vital role in reducing obesity and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.