Comparing Bmi Perception of Self- and Others between Kinesiology and Non-Kinesiology University Students

Publication Date

4-6-2018

Document Type

Poster

Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Mentor

David Thomas

Mentor Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Abstract

The world is experiencing a concerning global increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight. During the sixties in the United States, the prevalence rate was approximately 10-15% obese and 25-30% overweight ("Overweight," 2017) whereas more recent data displays rates closer to 30% obese and 70% overweight (NHANES, 2014). European countries (Mikolajczyk, Maxwell, El Ansari, Stock, Petkeviciene, & Guillen-Grima, 2010), Indonesia (Hastuti, Rahmawati, & Suriyanto, 2014), Canada, France, Mexico and Switzerland have also reported increased prevalence rates of obesity and overweight ("Obesity Update," 2017). Due to the health consequences associated with weight gain, research studies have examined prevention and treatment options for the increasing rates, but several options have had limited to no success. Maximova, McGrath, Barnett, O'Loughlin, Paradis, & Lambert (2008) and Stice, Shaw, & Marti (2006) hypothesized technological advancements resulting in more sedentary lifestyles, "normalization" of higher weight, and misperception about weight status were potential factors attributing to the programs' lack of successes. Thus, the present study aimed to further examine one of the potential factors: misperception about weight status. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined: 1) how participants perceived their own weight status, 2) how participants perceived others' weight status, and 3) if kinesiology majoring students could better identify BMI classifications than non-kinesiology majoring students. METHODS: A 49-item questionnaire was sent through e-mail to university students attending Illinois State University and Central College. The questionnaire assessed participants perception of their own weight status by self-reporting height (meters) and weight (kilograms) and by selecting a body-size guide (BSG), developed by Harris, Bradlyn, Coffman, Gunel & Cottrell (2008), representing their current body weight status. Perception of others' weight status was assessed by having participants assign a BMI classification to 10 female and 10 male pictorial, body-size guides (BSG). RESULTS: Data is still being collected. However, the results will be presented using general descriptive analysis and group comparisons for perceptions of self and others' weight status. Participants' BMI will be calculated using the following equation: weight (kg) / height (m2).

Comments

Bahtic-graduate

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