Pang Poh Yeng
Food Science Program, School of Chemical and Food Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Razalee Sedek
Food Science Program, School of Chemical and Food Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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.
PDF References Citation
How to cite this article
Pang Poh Yeng and Razalee Sedek, 2012. The Body Weight Perception and Weight Control Behaviors among Undergraduate Students in National University of Malaysia (UKM). Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 11: 1131-1138.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2012.1131.1138
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2012.1131.1138
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2012.1131.1138
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2012.1131.1138
REFERENCES
- Cash, T.F. and A.S. Labarge, 1996. Development of the appearance schemas inventory: A new cognitive body-image assessment. Cognit. Ther. Res., 20: 37-50.
CrossRef - Cash, T.F., K.A. Phillips, M.T. Santos and J.I. Hrabosky, 2004. Measuring negative body image: Validation of the body image disturbance questionnaire in a nonclinical population. Body Image, 1: 363-372.
CrossRef - Cheung, P.C., P.L. Ip, S.T. Lam and H. Bibby, 2007. A study on body weight perception and weight control behaviours among adolescents in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med. J., 13: 16-21.
PubMed - Harring, H.A., K.M. Drph and J.H. Phd, 2011. Perceptions of body weight, weight management strategies and depressive symptoms among US college students. J. Am. Coll. Health, 59: 43-50.
CrossRef - Huda, N. and R. Ahmad, 2010. Preliminary survey on nutritional status among University students at Malaysia. Pak. J. Nutr., 9: 125-127.
CrossRef - Jaworowska, A. and G. Bazylak, 2009. An outbreak of body weight dissatisfaction associated with self-perceived BMI and dieting among female pharmacy students. Biomed. Pharmacother., 63: 679-692.
CrossRef - Kaplan, S.L., J. Busner and S. Pollack, 1988. Perceived weight, actual weight and depressive symptoms in a general adolescent sample. Int. J. Eating Disorders, 7: 107-113.
Direct Link - Khor, G.L., M.S. Zalilah, Y.Y. Phan, M. Ang, B. Maznah and A.K. Norimah, 2009. Perceptions of body image among Malaysian male and female adolescents. Singapore Med. J., 50: 303-311.
Direct Link - Lin, K.G., L. Cobiac and G. Skrzypiec, 2002. Gender differences in eating behavior and social self concept among Malaysian university students. Mal. J. Nutr., 8: 75-98.
Direct Link - Lowry, R., D.A. Galuska, J.E. Fulton, H. Wechsler and L. Kann, 2002. Weight management goals and practices among U.S high school students: Associations with physical activity, diet and smoking. J. Adolesc. Health, 31: 133-144.
PubMed - Mellor, D., M. Mccabe, L. Ricciardelli, J. Yeow, N. Daliza and N.F. Hapidzal, 2009. Sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors among Malaysian adolescents. Body Image, 6: 121-128.
CrossRef - Pon, Jr. L.W., M. Kandiah and M.T.M. Nasir, 2004. Body image perception, dietary practices and physical activity of overweight and normal weight Malaysian female adolescents. Malaysian J. Nutr., 10: 131-147.
PubMedDirect Link - Sabiston, C.M., P.R.E. Crocker and K.J. Munroe-Chandler, 2005. Examining current-ideal discrepancy scores and exercise motivations as predictors of social physique anxiety in exercising females. J. Sport Behav., 28: 668-672.
Direct Link - Sakamaki, R., K. Toyama, R. Amamoto, C.J. Liu and N. Shinfuku, 2005. Nutritional knowledge, food habits and health attitude of Chinese university students-a cross sectional study. Nutr. J., Vol. 4.
CrossRefDirect Link - Thompson, M.A. and J.J. Gray, 1995. Development and validation of a new body-image assessment scale. J. Pers. Assess., 64: 258-269.
PubMed - WHO Expert Consultation, 2004. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. Lancet, 363: 157-163.
CrossRefPubMedDirect Link - Wong, M.M., E.Y. Chen, S.S. Lui and S. Tso, 2011. Medication adherence and subjective weight perception in patients with first-episode psychotic disorder. Clin. Schizophr. Relat. Psychoses., 5: 135-141.
Direct Link