Perception of body weight, its management practices and nutritional status of young adults in Agona Nkwanta, Ghana

Abstract

This study assessed perception of body weight, its management practices and nutritional status of young adults in Agona Nkwanta. The need for this study was due to the fact that many young adults are concerned about their physical appearance and engage in certain practices in order to attain the desired body ideals. The sample size was 237. Quantitative method involving correlation and cross-sectional designs were used. Findings showed that 61% females and 78% males do perceived their body weight to be normal. 36% females and 20% males perceived themselves to be underweight, whilst 3% females and 2% males of perceived themselves to be overweight. But with the use of anthropometric measurements 73% were within the healthy weight range of (>18.50 – 24.99), 17% were underweight (<18.50), whilst 10% were overweight (>25 – 29.9). Weight management practices; 20% engages in exercise to lose weight, 8%-diet to lose weight, 13% -laxatives/pills to lose weight. 3%-eating more food to gain weight, 12%-pills only to gain weight, 21% combine exercise and dieting to lose weight, 15%-both dieting and pills to lose weight whilst 8% combine dieting and pills to gain weight. For nutritional status; 45% eat locally available food groups “1-2 times per week”, 47% eat it “3 or more times per week”, whilst 8% do not take sugary foods. There was a strongly significant positive correlation between weight perception and weight management practices r(237) = 0.799, p<0.05; weight perception and nutritional status- r(237) = 0.702, p<0.05, of the study respondents. Based on the finding, the study recommends the eating of home-cooked food as my findings showed that home-cooked food are more balanced in terms of quality, quantity and hygiene than fast foods and street vendors and respondents should calculate their BMI and consult qualified persons before engaging in any weight management practices.