Work

Equal Weights but Different Weight Perceptions among US Adolescents

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate sex and race/ethnic differences in adolescents' perceptions of the same objectively measured weight in a nationally representative US sample. At the same BMI z-score, girls perceive themselves as heavier than boys. Regardless of sex and relative to Whites, African-Americans perceive the same BMI z-score as leaner and Native Americans are more likely to perceive objectively heavier weights as 'about the right weight'. Asian boys consider a narrower weight range to be 'about the right weight' relative to White boys, and Asian girls are less likely than White girls to perceive objectively lower weights as 'about the right weight'.

Source: Journal of Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1177/1359105309355334

Authors: Molly A. Martin, Ashleigh L. May, Michelle L. Frisco

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development