Perception of overall health, weight status and gaining weight in relationship with BMI among high school students

Abstract

IntroductionCorrect perception of weight status and gaining weight are important motivational factors for physical activity among overweight and obese children. However, misperception is common.MethodsA face‐to‐face validated survey based study was conducted among high school students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on the self‐reported height and weight to compare with perceived weight status based on a question: “Do you consider yourself to be underweight, overweight, about right or obese”? Participants were asked to rate their health and how much they worry about gaining weight. Descriptive and Chi‐Square tests were used for analysis. Level of significance was 0.05.ResultsMales who reported normal BMI, 23.1% considered themselves underweight and 11.5% considered overweight (c2 = 20.305, P=0.016). Females who reported normal BMI, 6.9% considered themselves underweight and 17.2% considered overweight (c2 = 31.613, p=0.000). Males who considered themselves overweight, 40% think they are not obese and 35% think they are obese (c2 = 30.322, p=0.000). Females who considered themselves overweight, 55.6% think they are not obese and 29.6% think they are obese (c2 = 11.415, p=0.076). Only 6% of students in the overweight BMI range, reported their overall health is poor (c2 = 21.266, P=0.047). In the BMI range of overweight, 40% of females and 6.3% of males worry all the time of gaining weight (c2 = 13.470, p=0.336).ConclusionFemale students being more likely to perceive themselves overweight and worried about gaining weight. A low percentage of male and female students rate their overall health poor.