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Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects

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Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Self-perceived weight in adolescents: over-estimation or under-estimation?

Rebecca Standley¹, Victoria Sullivan, Jane Wardle

¹Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.

|November 11, 2008

Summary

Many adolescents are unaware of their weight status, with over a quarter of overweight or obese teens underestimating their size. This lack of weight self-perception is more prevalent in boys and ethnic minorities, suggesting a need to update adolescent weight management guidance.

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Area of Science:

Public Health
Adolescent Health
Obesity Research

Background:

Global obesity prevalence has risen significantly over the past two decades.
The impact of this trend on young adults' weight self-perception remains unclear.
Understanding weight perception is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate weight self-perception among adolescents aged 14-15 years.
To determine the prevalence of under- and over-estimation of weight in this age group.
To identify demographic factors associated with inaccurate weight self-perception.

Main Methods:

A large, multi-ethnic sample of 4167 adolescents in London, UK, participated.
Data were collected as part of a longitudinal, school-based health behaviours study.
Weight perception was self-reported using a scale from 'too thin' to 'too fat'.

Main Results:

Under-estimation of weight was more common than over-estimation.
Over a quarter of overweight or obese adolescents inaccurately perceived themselves as 'not overweight'.
Weight under-estimation was significantly higher among boys and ethnic minority participants.

Conclusions:

A substantial proportion of adolescents possess inaccurate weight self-perception.
Current weight control advice for adolescents may require reassessment.
Targeted interventions addressing weight misperception in specific demographic groups are warranted.