Misperception of Body Weight After Childhood Cancer.
Over a third of overweight childhood cancer survivors underestimated their own weight
Misperception of Body Weight After Childhood Cancer.
Misperception of body weight can negatively impact the weight management efforts of childhood cancer survivors (cancer survivors).
To assess the agreement between objectively measured body mass index (BMI) and self-perceived body weight in adult cancer survivors, and to identify predictors of BMI underestimation and overestimation.
Were treated between 1976 and 2018 with chemotherapy and/or heart-related radiotherapy (radiotherapy).
over a third mistakenly thought their weight was normal
We included 492 cancer survivors (median age: 32 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 25‒39).
Median BMI was 23.8 kg/m 2 (IQR: 21.6‒27.1); 4% were underweight, 30% overweight, and 10% obese 25 years after diagnosis.
BMI and weight perception agreement was moderate (ĸ = 0.46, p < 0.001).
Overestimation was more likely among former smokers (odd ratio [OR] = 2.52, 95%CI = 1.31; 4.88), those with multiple chronic health conditions (2.49, 1.13; 5.46), and those who received cranial radiation (2.06, 1.10; 3.83).
Identifying and addressing weight misperception, especially in cancer survivors with chronic health conditions and after cranial radiation, could improve weight management strategies.