Weight Misperception at Texas State University

While some individuals accurately assess their body weight, others may perceive that they are heavier or lighter than they really are. This phenomenon is known as “weight misperception” and may act as a barrier to health-related lifestyle changes that use weight as an indicator of potential health. To investigate the prevalence of this phenomenon at Texas State University, including what portions of the university population are most affected, a survey was sent out via the Honors College asking for basic demographic information, as well as weight, height, and perception of weight status. The responses were analyzed; due to a lack of diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity in the sample, little insight was gained into weight misperception beyond the perspective of white, non-Hispanic, women, who comprised the majority of survey respondents and who largely perceived their weight accurately. Considering this, recommendations on how a more complete and more diverse picture of weight misperception at Texas State University can be gained, and how such data can be analyzed and addressed, are suggested.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nutrition

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Lamb, Laurel Woodman

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Crixell, Sylvia
• Hu, Jean

• weight
• BMI
• obesity
• eating disorders
• health

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/7818

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/7818