Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Misperception of body weight and lack of awareness about overweight and obesity are associated with poor weight management behaviors.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 350 female students from Shahed University, Tehran, Iran, using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements and self-reported answers regarding weight perception and level of body weight preoccupation. Data analysis was conducted using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
Results: The findings revealed that 51.43% of the subjects misperceived their body weight. Among them, the majority (92.22%) underestimated their weight. Additionally, 17.14% of the overweight and obese subjects perceived their weight to be within the normal range, while 29.6% of obese subjects perceived themselves to be only slightly overweight. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between body weight perception and anthropometric indices (p<0.01). The body mass index (r=0.739), C-index (r=0.648), body adiposity index (r=0.620), abdominal volume index (r=0.552), and waist-to-height ratio (r=0.537), and waist circumference (r=0.533) had the highest correlation with body weight perception, respectively.
Conclusion: The high rate of unawareness of actual body weight among female university students is alarming. It is, therefore, necessary to develop programs that increase awareness about normal body weight and the importance of anthropometric indices in weight management.
Keywords
Main Subjects
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