Open AccessThe association between BMI and body weight perception among children and adolescents in Jilin City, China
Author(s) -
Yun Wang,
Hongjian Liu,
Fangyuan Wu,
Xiaodi Yang,
Mengjia Yue,
Yingxin Pang,
Xuanxuan Li,
Jiameng Ma,
Ge Zhou,
Ping Gong,
Meitian Liu,
Xiumin Zhang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0194237
Subject(s) - underweight , overweight , demography , medicine , body mass index , body weight , normal weight , obesity , pediatrics , psychology , gerontology , sociology
Objectives We evaluated the association between BMI and body weight perception in a sample of children and adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted among 7–18 year-olds (N = 9727) from 4 districts in Jilin City, China. We calculated BMI from measured weight and height and assessed body weight perception using a single questionnaire item. We analyzed these data using SPSS version 20.0. Results Approximately 19.8% of these youth perceived themselves as underweight, 57.8% as normal weight, and 22.4% as overweight. In reality, 4.9% were underweight, 64.3% were normal weight, and 30.8% were overweight. Furthermore, approximately 66.4% of these Chinese youth correctly perceived their body image, 28.2% underestimated their true body image, and 5.4% overestimated their weight status. Girls were more likely than boys to overestimate their weight ( χ 2 = 135.4, p < 0.05). Adolescents 13–18 years old were more likely than children 7–12 years old to overestimate their weight ( χ 2 = 248.4, p < 0.05). Senior high school students were the most likely to overestimate their weight ( χ 2 = 297.6, p < 0.05). Kappa tests revealed significant differences in consistency analysis of BMI and body weight perception ( Kappa = 0.352, p < 0.05). Kappa < 0.4, the consistency of BMI and body weight perception was poor. Conclusions A mismatch existed between BMI and body weight perception among these children and adolescents. Thus, schools and parents should take steps to help them improve weight management and overall health awareness.