Obesity & Weight Management

Biography

Biography: Lynn Romejko Jacobs

Abstract

Objective

This study’s purpose is advancing knowledge about perceptions of healthy body fat and BMI among undergraduate students, examining the relationship between believed and actual body characteristics.

Participants

In September 2009, 413 freshmen completed a survey asking students to self-assess body fat percentage, BMI, and weight among other questions. 

Methods

Students were surveyed prior to and after taking body measurements. Regression was used to understand how different categories predicted level of accuracy in students’ assessments.

Results

Findings suggest students less accurately estimated BMI than body fat percentage.  Interactions suggest females and males differ in estimation accuracy, and this varied by fat categories.  Additionally, 90% of students believed body fat percentage easier to understand than BMI.

Conclusions

Since body fat percentage was significantly better understood, this measurement should be used to educate individuals on healthy weight and body composition status on a wider scale.

Table 1

Summary of Actual Weight, Body Fat Percentage, and BMI

Note. Measurements presented are actual numbers, not estimated predictions.

Table 2

Regression Analysis Predicting Absolute Value Difference in Weight Estimation and Weight Actual

Note. *p < .05

Table 3

Regression Analysis Predicting Absolute Value Difference in BMI Estimation and BMI Actual

Note. *p < .05