Biopsychosocial correlates of weight status perception in Australian adolescents

•A biopsychosocial model of weight status perception was examined.•Biological, psychological, and social variables were associated with misperception.•Moderately overweight adolescents are at most risk of underestimating their weight status.•Healthy weight boys tended to perceive themselves as underweight.•Boys are most satisfied with a perceived weight within the healthy weight range.

This study examined the utility of the biopsychosocial model to predict accuracy of weight status perception among Australian adolescents. The factors included in this framework were: age, gender, and BMI-z (biological factors); satisfaction with body weight and shape (psychological factors); socioeconomic status, peer weight (social factors). Cross-sectional data, including measured height and weight, and self-reported weight status, was obtained from 2954 adolescents (mean age = 14.6, 56% male) who participated in the It's Your Move! study. Accuracy of weight status perception was associated with gender, BMI-z, SES, and weight and shape satisfaction. Gender differences in weight status perception were moderated by satisfaction with weight. In boys, weight satisfaction was associated with perceived healthy weight; in girls, it was associated with perceived healthy weight and underweight. Moderately overweight adolescents are most at risk of underestimating their weight status and could benefit from education about the boundaries of the healthy weight range.