title: Perceived body image and weight: discrepancies and gender differences among University undergraduates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Body image (BI) is a multidimensional construct that includes perceptual, attitudinal, behavioural components, and feedback from other people's perception of oneself. The feedback from others and the degree to which one accepts or rejects it can determine self evaluation and perception. Body weight perception is a strong determinant of nutritional habits and weight management among adolescents. One of the barriers to reducing rise in obesity prevalence could be its cultural acceptability in some developing countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the gender influences on perception of self- and opposite-sex body images (BI), perceived body weight and the actual body weight categories at which discrepancies occur among the perceived BIs in undergraduates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a survey of perceptual dimension of BI, perceived body weight and actual body weight carried out in 121 undergraduates aged 21-29 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Discrepancies occurred between self-perceived BI and each of actual body weight (p= 0.00 at 0.00-0.02 confidence interval (CI)), perceived body weight (p= 0.01 at 0.000-0.02 CI) and self-ideal BI (p= 0.03 at 0.000-0.05 CI) of normal-weight males. Self-perceived BI and perceived body weight also differed in normal-weight females (p= 0.02 at 0.000-0.04 CI). Discrepancies (p= 0.02 at 0.00-0.04 CI) occurred between self-perceived BI and self-ideal BI, and between self-perceived BI and desired BI (p= 0.02 at 0.00-0.04 CI) in overweight females. Gender differences occurred for self-ideal BI (p= 0.00 at 0.00-0.02 CI), ideal image for the opposite sex (IBIOS) (p= 0.02 at 0.00-0.04 CI) and desired BI (p= 0.00 at 0.00-0.02 CI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal-weight males perceived their BI differently from their actual body weight, perceived body weight and self-ideal BI whereas normal-weight females perceived their BI differently from only their perceived body weight. Discrepancies occur between self-ideal BI and self-perceived BI, and between self-perceived BI and desired BI in overweight females. There are differential perceptions of self-ideal BI, IBIOS and desired BI between males and females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. mafaad@yahoo.com
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Maruf
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Akinpelu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nwankwo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010465:Perception; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Perceived body Image; opposite sex; perceived body weight