Sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and BMI in relation to self-perception of overweight.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the self-perception of overweight in the study population according to sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and to compare the self-perception of overweight among individuals classified as normal weight, overweight, and obese.


METHODS
Data from 5440 adults who participated in the 1994 to 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture were analyzed. Data for analysis included self-perceived weight status, self-reported weight and height, and demographic and socioeconomic data. Underweight individuals, defined as those with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, were excluded from the analysis.


RESULTS
Self-perception of overweight was more common in women compared with men and in whites compared with blacks or Hispanics. Both the correct and incorrect perception of overweight was more common in normal weight and overweight white women compared with black women. More overweight and obese white men correctly perceived their overweight status compared with black men. Multiple logistic regression showed that the odds ratio of perceived overweight was significantly higher in women, whites, and individuals with higher body mass index, higher income, and higher education.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-perceived overweight varied by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Erroneous perception of body weight may have important health and behavioral implications. In particular, a considerable proportion of overweight men may be at risk of obesity if they continue to perceive themselves as having normal weight.
Paeratakul
Sahasporn
S
Nutritional Epidemiology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70808, USA. paerats@pbrc.edu
White
Marney A
MA
Williamson
Donald A
DA
Ryan
Donna H
DH
Bray
George A
GA
D001741:Black or African American; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People