Self-reported versus measured height, weight and body mass index in Spanish Mediterranean teenagers: effects of gender, age and weight on perceptual measures of body image.
BACKGROUND
To have a good physical appearance is a determining factor by which adolescents show a tendency to worry excessively about their weight. The aim of this work is to study the possible relationship between actual and perceived body weight, how it is considered and what strategies are followed for weight control among adolescents residing in Valencia.


METHODS
A sample of 568 students, 325 girls and 243 boys, aged 14-20 years, were selected from public high schools in Valencia. Their height and weight were used to calculate their actual body mass index (BMIO). The subjective perception of their physical measurements (BMIS) was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. The statistical treatment of data was done with commercially available software.


RESULTS
There is a relatively large proportion of underweight subjects among the participants of the survey. Differences between the BMIO and BMIS indicate a misperception of height (overestimated) and weight (underestimated) that is greater in girls than in boys. Girls tend to undergo restrictive dietary measures when they consider themselves overweight. A general lack of knowledge about adequate weight was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Valencia teenagers show a poor knowledge of their body size and of the weight that should be adequate for their age and tallness.
Farré Rovira
Rosaura
R
Department of Nutrition and Food Chemistry, University of Valencia, Spain. rosaura.farre@uv.es
Frasquet Pons
Isabel
I
Martínez Martínez
Maria Isabel
MI
Romá Sánchez
Raquel
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires