Perceived weight versus Body Mass Index among urban Aboriginal Australians: do perceptions and measurements match?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between perceived body weight and measured Body Mass Index (BMI) among urban Aboriginal Australian adults. METHODS: We compared responses to a question on perceived weight with BMI based on measured health and weight among 248 Aboriginal volunteers aged>or=15 years who took part in a larger health study in the Darwin area between September 2003 and March 2004. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between socio-economic, demographic and cultural factors and under-assessment of weight. RESULTS: Being male and having diabetes were significantly associated with under-assessment of weight. Despite under-assessment being common, most participa..