Body mass index status and accuracy of individual weight status perception among college going students in South India

Abstract

Background: India faces the burgeoning twin problems of underweight and obesity. Accurate weight perception is vital to the institution and practice of weight management behaviour. The study aims at determining the BMI status of college students in South India and evaluating the accuracy of their weight status perception.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was carried out on a sample of 500 college students. Data regarding height, weight and body weight perception was obtained by structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. The BMI calculated was used to categorize the BMI pattern of individuals according to WHO criteria for Asian Indians. This was correlated with self-perceived BMI to evaluate accuracy. All data were analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: 21.2% of the samples were underweight, 23.4% were overweight and 9.6% were obese. There was a statistically significant correlation between the self-reported BMI and actual BMI as assessed by Pearson correlation (r= .884, p<.001, two-tailed). 62% accurately perceived weight status. Agreement of perceived and measured BMI was found to be moderate among underweight and overweight groups. Agreement between perceived and measured normal BMI was found to be fair as determined by Kappa characteristic.Conclusions: Our study validates the current view that underweight and overweight continue to thrive concomitantly in urban Indian centers among youngsters of college-going age group. Perception of body weight is more accurate among underweight and overweight groups as compared to normal students, though overall accuracy was 62%.