title: Physical activity and body mass perception.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate ethnic perceptual variations in body mass index (BMI) and accrued physical activity. Women (n = 204) from the eastern United States were stratified into the following ethnic groups: White women (WW; n = 97), Black women (BW n = 62) and Others (Hispanic and Asian women, n = 45). Participants completed questionnaires and physiologic variables were determined. BW had increased weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage vs. WW (p < .05). Body mass was higher in BW vs. Others (p < .05). There were no differences for perception of BMI or body dissatisfaction. BW were the only group in which perception of BMI was lower than measured BMI. BW engaged in 50% less domestic and total physical activity than WW and Others. Physical activity was not correlated to perception of BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perception of BMI was similar across ethnic groups and not correlated to physical activity levels in young women.
authors: New Jersey State YMCA Alliance, Trenton, NJ, USA.
authors: Darrin W
authors: DW
authors: Anderson
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Libonati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data