WEIGHT DISSATISFACTION AND WEIGHT-LOSS ATTEMPTS AMONG CANADIAN ADULTS

Objective: To describe the pattern of weight dissatisfaction and weigh t loss attempts among Canadian adults and the reasons for and methods of weight loss among those trying to lose weight. Design: Population-b ased, cross-sectional surveys. Setting: Ten Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992. Participants: A probability sample of 29 855 men and w omen aged 18 to 74 years was selected using provincial health insuranc e registration files; this paper describes the subsample of 19 841 (66 %) participants from whom anthropometric data were collected. Outcome measures: Discrepancy between actual and desired body mass index (BMI) ; attempts to lose weight; reasons for losing weight; methods of weigh t loss used. Results: Whether their weight was in the acceptable range (BMI 20-24 kg/m(2)) or at a level of increasing risk (BMI greater tha n or equal to 27 kg/m(2)), women were more likely than men to wish the y weighed less and to be trying to lose weight; almost two-thirds of w omen but less than half the men with BMI greater than or equal to 27 k g/m(2) were trying to lose weight. Even among those with BMI 20-24 kg/ m(2), 32% of women (v. 10% of men) were trying to reduce their weight. Weight dissatisfaction and current and past weight loss attempts were all negatively associated with age among women, but were unrelated to age among men. People with higher ratios of waist to hip circumferenc e (WHR), controlling for BMI, were no more likely to be trying to lose weight than those with lower WHR; in fact, for women with BMI 27-29 k g/m(2), WHR was negatively associated with prevalence of weight loss a ttempts. The presence of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolem ia was also unrelated to weight loss attempts; regular smokers and sed entary people were less likely to report trying to lose weight, contro lling for BMI. Among those currently trying to lose weight, the most c ommonly mentioned reason was to improve general health, followed by in creasing attractiveness. Overall, the most frequently mentioned method of weight loss was dieting, followed by exercise. Conclusions: Substa ntial numbers of men whose BMI places them at increased health risk ap pear to be content with their weight and are not attempting to reduce it. Conversely, women, especially the young and middle-aged, are likel y to consider themselves above their desired weight and to be trying t o lose weight, even when their weight is within acceptable limits. Thi s reinforces the need to consider differences between men and women in efforts to promote and support healthy weights among Canadians.