Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries
Mikolajczyk RT, Maxwell AE, El Ansari W, Stock C, Petkeviciene J, Guillen-Grima F (2010)
BMC Public Health 10(1): 40.
Download
Journal Article
| Original Article
| Published
| English
Author
Mikolajczyk, Rafael T.
;
Maxwell, Annette E.
;
El Ansari, Walid
;
Stock, Christiane
;
Petkeviciene, Janina
;
Guillen-Grima, Francisco
Department
Abstract
Background Despite low rates of obesity, many university students perceive themselves as overweight, especially women. This is of concern, because inappropriate weight perceptions can lead to unhealthy behaviours including eating disorders. Methods We used the database from the Cross National Student Health Survey (CNSHS), consisting of 5,900 records of university students from Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Spain and Turkey to analyse differences in perceived weight status based on the question: "Do you consider yourself much too thin, a little too thin, just right, a little too fat or much too fat?". The association between perceived weight and body mass index (BMI) calculated from self-reported weight and height was assessed with generalized non-parametric regression in R library gam. Results Although the majority of students reported a normal BMI (72-84% of males, 65-83% of females), only 32% to 68% of students considered their weight "just right". Around 20% of females with BMI of 20 kg/m2 considered themselves "a little too fat" or "too fat", and the percentages increased to 60% for a BMI of 22.5 kg/m2. Male students rarely felt "a little too fat" or "too fat" below BMI of 22.5 kg/m2, but most felt too thin with a BMI of 20 kg/m2. Conclusions Weight ideals are rather uniform across the European countries, with female students being more likely to perceive themselves as "too fat" at a normal BMI, while male students being more likely to perceive themselves as "too thin". Programs to prevent unhealthy behaviours to achieve ill-advised weight ideals may benefit students.
Publishing Year
ISSN
PUB-ID
Cite this
Mikolajczyk RT, Maxwell AE, El Ansari W, Stock C, Petkeviciene J, Guillen-Grima F. Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries. BMC Public Health. 2010;10(1):40.
Mikolajczyk, R. T., Maxwell, A. E., El Ansari, W., Stock, C., Petkeviciene, J., & Guillen-Grima, F. (2010). Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 40. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-40
Mikolajczyk, R. T., Maxwell, A. E., El Ansari, W., Stock, C., Petkeviciene, J., and Guillen-Grima, F. (2010). Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries. BMC Public Health 10, 40.
Mikolajczyk, R.T., et al., 2010. Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries. BMC Public Health, 10(1), p 40.
R.T. Mikolajczyk, et al., “Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries”, BMC Public Health, vol. 10, 2010, pp. 40.
Mikolajczyk, R.T., Maxwell, A.E., El Ansari, W., Stock, C., Petkeviciene, J., Guillen-Grima, F.: Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries. BMC Public Health. 10, 40 (2010).
Mikolajczyk, Rafael T., Maxwell, Annette E., El Ansari, Walid, Stock, Christiane, Petkeviciene, Janina, and Guillen-Grima, Francisco. “Relationship between perceived body weight and body mass index based on self- reported height and weight among university students: a cross-sectional study in seven European countries”. BMC Public Health 10.1 (2010): 40.
All files available under the following license(s):
Copyright Statement:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. [...]
Main File(s)
File Name
Access Level

This data publication is cited in the following publications:
This publication cites the following data publications:
18 Citations in Europe PMC
Data provided by Europe PubMed Central.
The validity of self-reported vs. measured body weight and height and the effect of self-perception.
Gokler ME, Bugrul N, Sarı AO, Metintas S., Arch Med Sci 14(1), 2018
PMID: 29379548
Gokler ME, Bugrul N, Sarı AO, Metintas S., Arch Med Sci 14(1), 2018
PMID: 29379548
The influence of gender and atopy in the relationship between obesity and asthma in childhood.
Alvarez Zallo N, Aguinaga-Ontoso I, Alvarez-Alvarez I, Guillén-Grima F, Azcona San Julian C., Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 45(3), 2017
PMID: 28126313
Alvarez Zallo N, Aguinaga-Ontoso I, Alvarez-Alvarez I, Guillén-Grima F, Azcona San Julian C., Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 45(3), 2017
PMID: 28126313
Is Underweight Associated with more Positive Body Image? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Adolescent Girls and Boys.
Kantanista A, Król-Zielińska M, Borowiec J, Osiński W., Span J Psychol 20(), 2017
PMID: 28181473
Kantanista A, Król-Zielińska M, Borowiec J, Osiński W., Span J Psychol 20(), 2017
PMID: 28181473
The effect of a medical opinion on self-perceptions of weight for Mexican adults: perception of change and cognitive biases.
Easton JF, Stephens CR, Román Sicilia H., BMC Obes 4(), 2017
PMID: 28469931
Easton JF, Stephens CR, Román Sicilia H., BMC Obes 4(), 2017
PMID: 28469931
Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage modifies the relationship between weight status and weight-related satisfaction.
Feng X, Wilson A., Int J Obes (Lond) 40(12), 2016
PMID: 27430877
Feng X, Wilson A., Int J Obes (Lond) 40(12), 2016
PMID: 27430877
Longitudinal changes in desired body weight compared to changes in body weight: evidence of adaptation to weight gain?
Aars NA, Jacobsen BK., BMC Obes 3(), 2016
PMID: 27688891
Aars NA, Jacobsen BK., BMC Obes 3(), 2016
PMID: 27688891
Dieting and weight cycling as risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases: who is really at risk?
Montani JP, Schutz Y, Dulloo AG., Obes Rev 16 Suppl 1(), 2015
PMID: 25614199
Montani JP, Schutz Y, Dulloo AG., Obes Rev 16 Suppl 1(), 2015
PMID: 25614199
Determinant factors of the difference between self-reported weight and measured weight among Japanese.
Anai A, Ueda K, Harada K, Katoh T, Fukumoto K, Wei CN., Environ Health Prev Med 20(6), 2015
PMID: 26349447
Anai A, Ueda K, Harada K, Katoh T, Fukumoto K, Wei CN., Environ Health Prev Med 20(6), 2015
PMID: 26349447
Factors that contribute to the body image concern of female college students.
Silva WR, Dias JC, Maroco J, Campos JA., Rev Bras Epidemiol 18(4), 2015
PMID: 26982295
Silva WR, Dias JC, Maroco J, Campos JA., Rev Bras Epidemiol 18(4), 2015
PMID: 26982295
Differential perceptions of body image and body weight among adults of different socioeconomic status in a sub-urban population.
Maruf FA, Akinpelu AO, Udoji NV., J Biosoc Sci 46(3), 2014
PMID: 23721833
Maruf FA, Akinpelu AO, Udoji NV., J Biosoc Sci 46(3), 2014
PMID: 23721833
Body mass index through self-reported data and body image perception in Spanish adults attending dietary consultation.
Acevedo P, López-Ejeda N, Alférez-García I, Martínez-Álvarez JR, Villarino A, Cabañas MD, Marrodán MD., Nutrition 30(6), 2014
PMID: 24800667
Acevedo P, López-Ejeda N, Alférez-García I, Martínez-Álvarez JR, Villarino A, Cabañas MD, Marrodán MD., Nutrition 30(6), 2014
PMID: 24800667
The prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among Lithuanian adults, 1994-2012.
Kriaucioniene V, Petkeviciene J, Klumbiene J, Sakyte E, Raskiliene A., Public Health 128(1), 2014
PMID: 24359761
Kriaucioniene V, Petkeviciene J, Klumbiene J, Sakyte E, Raskiliene A., Public Health 128(1), 2014
PMID: 24359761
Examining an elaborated sociocultural model of disordered eating among college women: the roles of social comparison and body surveillance.
Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Bardone-Cone AM, Bulik CM, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, Engel SG., Body Image 11(4), 2014
PMID: 25160010
Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Bardone-Cone AM, Bulik CM, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, Engel SG., Body Image 11(4), 2014
PMID: 25160010
Obesity, Body Image, Depression, and Weight-control Behaviour Among Female University Students in Korea.
Jun EM, Choi SB., J Cancer Prev 19(3), 2014
PMID: 25337594
Jun EM, Choi SB., J Cancer Prev 19(3), 2014
PMID: 25337594
A randomized control trial: training program of university students as health promoters.
Mendoza-Núñez VM, Mecalco-Herrera C, Ortega-Ávila C, Mecalco-Herrera L, Soto-Espinosa JL, Rodríguez-León MA., BMC Public Health 13(), 2013
PMID: 23433061
Mendoza-Núñez VM, Mecalco-Herrera C, Ortega-Ávila C, Mecalco-Herrera L, Soto-Espinosa JL, Rodríguez-León MA., BMC Public Health 13(), 2013
PMID: 23433061
Ethnic differences in perceptions of body satisfaction and body appearance among U.S. schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study.
Mikolajczyk RT, Iannotti RJ, Farhat T, Thomas V., BMC Public Health 12(), 2012
PMID: 22691404
Mikolajczyk RT, Iannotti RJ, Farhat T, Thomas V., BMC Public Health 12(), 2012
PMID: 22691404
Assessment of body-image perception and attitudes in obesity.
Pull CB, Aguayo GA., Curr Opin Psychiatry 24(1), 2011
PMID: 21088582
Pull CB, Aguayo GA., Curr Opin Psychiatry 24(1), 2011
PMID: 21088582
Association between actual weight status, perceived weight and depressive, anxious symptoms in Chinese adolescents: a cross-sectional study.
Tang J, Yu Y, Du Y, Ma Y, Zhu H, Liu Z., BMC Public Health 10(), 2010
PMID: 20932280
Tang J, Yu Y, Du Y, Ma Y, Zhu H, Liu Z., BMC Public Health 10(), 2010
PMID: 20932280
45 References
Data provided by Europe PubMed Central.
Body mass index, prevalence of overweight and obesity in Lithuanian children and adolescents, 1985-2002.
Tutkuviene J., Coll Antropol 31(1), 2007
PMID: 17598389
Tutkuviene J., Coll Antropol 31(1), 2007
PMID: 17598389
Sex differences in the nature realism and correlates of body image
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 1986
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 1986
An exploration of the drive for muscularity in adolescent boys and girls.
McCreary DR, Sasse DK., J Am Coll Health 48(6), 2000
PMID: 10863873
McCreary DR, Sasse DK., J Am Coll Health 48(6), 2000
PMID: 10863873
Body image perception among men in three countries.
Pope HG Jr, Gruber AJ, Mangweth B, Bureau B, deCol C, Jouvent R, Hudson JI., Am J Psychiatry 157(8), 2000
PMID: 10910794
Pope HG Jr, Gruber AJ, Mangweth B, Bureau B, deCol C, Jouvent R, Hudson JI., Am J Psychiatry 157(8), 2000
PMID: 10910794
Dieting practices, weight perceptions, and body composition: a comparison of normal weight, overweight, and obese college females.
Malinauskas BM, Raedeke TD, Aeby VG, Smith JL, Dallas MB., Nutr J 5(), 2006
PMID: 16579846
Malinauskas BM, Raedeke TD, Aeby VG, Smith JL, Dallas MB., Nutr J 5(), 2006
PMID: 16579846
Exposure to Muscular Male Models Decreases Men's Body Satisfaction
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 2004
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 2004
Body image in boys: a review of the literature.
Cohane GH, Pope HG Jr., Int J Eat Disord 29(4), 2001
PMID: 11285574
Cohane GH, Pope HG Jr., Int J Eat Disord 29(4), 2001
PMID: 11285574
Support for the uniqueness of body dissatisfaction from drive for muscularity among men.
Bergeron D, Tylka TL., Body Image 4(3), 2007
PMID: 18089275
Bergeron D, Tylka TL., Body Image 4(3), 2007
PMID: 18089275
Validity of self-reported height and weight and predictors of bias in adolescents.
Elgar FJ, Roberts C, Tudor-Smith C, Moore L., J Adolesc Health 37(5), 2005
PMID: 16227121
Elgar FJ, Roberts C, Tudor-Smith C, Moore L., J Adolesc Health 37(5), 2005
PMID: 16227121
The validity of self-reported weight in US adults: a population based cross-sectional study.
Villanueva EV., BMC Public Health 1(), 2001
PMID: 11716792
Villanueva EV., BMC Public Health 1(), 2001
PMID: 11716792
Effects of age on validity of self-reported height, weight, and body mass index: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.
Kuczmarski MF, Kuczmarski RJ, Najjar M., J Am Diet Assoc 101(1), 2001
PMID: 11209581
Kuczmarski MF, Kuczmarski RJ, Najjar M., J Am Diet Assoc 101(1), 2001
PMID: 11209581
Validity of self-reported weight and height in the French GAZEL cohort.
Niedhammer I, Bugel I, Bonenfant S, Goldberg M, Leclerc A., Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord. 24(9), 2000
PMID: 11033979
Niedhammer I, Bugel I, Bonenfant S, Goldberg M, Leclerc A., Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord. 24(9), 2000
PMID: 11033979
Can secondary school students' self-reported measures of height and weight be trusted? An effect size approach.
Tsigilis N., Eur J Public Health 16(5), 2006
PMID: 16601105
Tsigilis N., Eur J Public Health 16(5), 2006
PMID: 16601105
Reliability and validity of self-reported height and weight among high school students.
Brener ND, Mcmanus T, Galuska DA, Lowry R, Wechsler H., J Adolesc Health 32(4), 2003
PMID: 12667732
Brener ND, Mcmanus T, Galuska DA, Lowry R, Wechsler H., J Adolesc Health 32(4), 2003
PMID: 12667732
Validity of self-reported anthropometric values used to assess body mass index and estimate obesity in Greek school children.
Tokmakidis SP, Christodoulos AD, Mantzouranis NI., J Adolesc Health 40(4), 2007
PMID: 17367722
Tokmakidis SP, Christodoulos AD, Mantzouranis NI., J Adolesc Health 40(4), 2007
PMID: 17367722
Associations of behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors with over- and underweight among German adolescents.
Mikolajczyk RT, Richter M., Int J Public Health 53(4), 2008
PMID: 18716726
Mikolajczyk RT, Richter M., Int J Public Health 53(4), 2008
PMID: 18716726
Accuracy of teen and parental reports of obesity and body mass index.
Goodman E, Hinden BR, Khandelwal S., Pediatrics 106(1 Pt 1), 2000
PMID: 10878149
Goodman E, Hinden BR, Khandelwal S., Pediatrics 106(1 Pt 1), 2000
PMID: 10878149
Physical inactivity and obesity: a vicious circle.
Pietilainen KH, Kaprio J, Borg P, Plasqui G, Yki-Jarvinen H, Kujala UM, Rose RJ, Westerterp KR, Rissanen A., Obesity (Silver Spring) 16(2), 2008
PMID: 18239652
Pietilainen KH, Kaprio J, Borg P, Plasqui G, Yki-Jarvinen H, Kujala UM, Rose RJ, Westerterp KR, Rissanen A., Obesity (Silver Spring) 16(2), 2008
PMID: 18239652
Key data on higher education in Europe
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 2007
AUTHOR UNKNOWN, 2007
Export
0 Marked PublicationsWeb of Science
View record in Web of Science®Sources
PMID: 20105333
PubMed | Europe PMC