The Body Weight Perception and Weight Control Behaviors among Undergraduate Students in National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the associations between Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight perception and weight control behaviors among the undergraduate students in UKM and to identify gender differences in BMI, body weight perception and weight control behaviors between males and female students. A total of 200 subjects of UKM students have participated in (50% males and 50% females). Subjects involved were in the range of 20 to 25 years old. Information about socio-demographic, body image perception, body shape, weight control behaviors were obtained by questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of body weight and height were also taken. The mean for age, weight, height and BMI were 22.2±1.4 years, 69.1±13.4 kg, 1.7±0.1 m and 23.3±4.1 kg/m² respectively for males while 22.5±1.4 years 56.8±14.8 kg, 1.5±0.1 m and 22.2±4.7 kg/m² for females respectively. There were significant differences in weight, height and BMI between males and females (p<0.05). Based on BMI categories (WHO, 2004), the results showed that 16.5% of the total subjects were classified as underweight, 57.0% normal weight, 17.0% overweight and 9.5% obese. Results showed that the actual weight (BMI) of subjects was significantly related to the body weight perception in overall (p<0.05) and also for both sexes (p<0.05). There were also a significant differences between actual body weight (BMI) (p<0.05) and body weight perception (p<0.05) with weight control behaviors in overall and in both sexes. Understanding the reasons for gender differences in actual weight and body weight perception can help health professionals in helping people to make strategic decisions to control body weight.