Exploring the interplay between BMI, subjective body image perception, and health behaviors: A cross-sectional study

This study explored the impact of discrepancies between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Subjective Body Image Perception (SBIP) on metabolic health indicators, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), sleep time (ST), and stress levels in Korean adults.

Data from 8,634 participants in the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2019-2021) were analyzed. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group A (SBIP = BMI), Group B (SBIP < BMI), and Group C (SBIP > BMI). Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression were used to evaluate associations among discrepancies in SBIP and BMI and health behaviors.

Group B exhibited higher BMI levels (26.04 kg/m2) and adverse metabolic indicators, including elevated fasting glucose (102.11 mg/dL) and triglycerides (161.74 mg/dL), compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Group C had better High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (59 mg/dL) and lower prevalence rates of hyperlipidemia (9.7%) and hypertension (5.5%) than Group B (hyperlipidemia: 11.6%; hypertension: 5.1%) and Group A (hyperlipidemia: 13.2%; hypertension: 7.6%). Moderate-to-Vigorous PA (MVPA) was significantly lower in Group C (97.88 min/week) than Group A (133.18 min/week; p < 0.05) and Group B (169.64 min/week; p < 0.05). SBIP discrepancies had a stronger effect on PA and SB than BMI alone, with Group C being 1.30 times more likely not to meet PA guidelines. Stress levels were significantly higher in those with lower BMI or higher SBIP (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.93, p < 0.01).

SBIP has a stronger influence on health behaviors, particularly PA patterns, than BMI alone. Including SBIP in health promotion strategies may improve interventions for improving PA and addressing metabolic health disparities.