Body Mass Index and perceived weight status in young adults.
Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight for 1,123 university students who returned a questionnaire mailed to a 10 percent random sample of the entire undergraduate population of a large midwestern university. Seventeen percent of the females and 20 percent of the males were determined to be in excess of normal BMI standards. However, significantly more women (40%) considered themselves overweight in comparison to men (24%). Also, significantly more women (53%) than men (20%) reported experiencing discomfort due to excessive weight. Inaccurate perceptions of body image are common among individuals with eating disorders. There is a higher incidence of eating disorders among college-age women than among their male peers. A distorted body image as reflected by perceived overweight may serve as a marker for individuals at risk for eating disorders.
Sciacca
J P
JP
Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Food and Nutrition Science, School of Health Professions, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff 86011.
Melby
C L
CL
Hyner
G C
GC
Brown
A C
AC
Femea
P L
PL
D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities