Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey

Suneetha Epuru; Ala’a Eideh; Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen; Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey

Suneetha Epuru, Ala’a Eideh, Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen, Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry

Published in International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Received: 12 January 2014 Accepted: Published: 20 February 2014

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Abstract

Background: Young adults are known across the world for the concern for weight and their perceptions of weight are known to be influenced by factors like media, culture, societal norms, parental and peer group expectations. Objective: This study explores the associations between body mass index (BMI), weight perceptions, and attempts to lose weight in female university students from university of Hail. Methodology: Data were collected from 100 university female students, using self-reported weight, height, self, parent and peer perception of weight, and weight loss strategies. BMI was calculated from weight and height and was categorized into International and Asian clinical criteria. Results: The total mean age ± SD was 21.66 ± 1.39 years (range 19-25) and mean± SD BMI was 22.96 ± 3.74. Nearly 16 % and 4 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI International cut off whereas around 34 % and 11 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI Asian cut off. Self, parents and peer perceptions are either skewed towards underweight or obese indicating the need for educating the knowledge of actual BMI status in these populations. Currently 22 % agree that they are on dieting while 31 % agree that they do physical exercise as weight management strategy. Cohen’s Kappa suggests a very poor agreement of self-perception with actual weight status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that among female university students, there is significant misperception of weight, with one third of students misclassifying themselves. Weight perceptions were not good indicators for weight management practices.

Published in	International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
Page(s)	360-365
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

BMI, Weight Perception, Weight Control Behavior, Young Adults

References

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[4]	Wardle J, Haase AM and Steptoe A, "Body image and weight control in young adults: international comparisons in university students from 22 countries", Int J Obes (Lond)., Vol 30, 2006, pp. 644-51.
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[9]	Warraich HJ, Javed F, Faraz-Ul-Haq M, Khawaja FB and Saleem S, "Prevalence of obesity in school-going children of Karachi", PLoS One., Vol 4(3), 2009, pp. e4816.
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[14]	Choo V, "WHO reassesses appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations", Lancet, Vol 360(9328), 2002, pp. 235.
[15]	Cilliers J, Senekal M and Kunneke E, "The association between the body mass index of first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health indicators", Public Health Nutr., Vol 9(2), 2006, pp. 234-243.
[16]	Singh A, Kiran D, Singh H, Nel B, Singh P and Tewari P, "Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea: a problem related to menstruation, among first and second year female medical students", Indian J Physiol Pharmacol., Vol 52(4), 2008, pp. 389-397.
[17]	Tamim H, Tamim R, Almawi W, Rahi A, Shamseddeen W, Ghazi A, Taha A and Musharrafieh U, "Risky weight control among university students", Int J Eat Disord., Vol 39(1), 2006, pp. 80-83.
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APA Style

Suneetha Epuru, Ala’a Eideh, Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen, Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. (2014). Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 2(6), 360-365. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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ACS Style

Suneetha Epuru; Ala’a Eideh; Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen; Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 2(6), 360-365. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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AMA Style

Suneetha Epuru, Ala’a Eideh, Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen, Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;2(6):360-365. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25,
  author = {Suneetha Epuru and Ala’a Eideh and Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen and Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry},
  title = {Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {360-365},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  abstract = {Background: Young adults are known across the world for the concern for weight and their perceptions of weight are known to be influenced by factors like media, culture, societal norms, parental and peer group expectations. Objective: This study explores the associations between body mass index (BMI), weight perceptions, and attempts to lose weight in female university students from university of Hail. Methodology: Data were collected from 100 university female students, using self-reported weight, height, self, parent and peer perception of weight, and weight loss strategies. BMI was calculated from weight and height and was categorized into International and Asian clinical criteria. Results: The total mean age ± SD was 21.66 ± 1.39 years (range 19-25) and mean± SD BMI was 22.96 ± 3.74. Nearly 16 % and 4 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI International cut off whereas around 34 % and 11 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI Asian cut off. Self, parents and peer perceptions are either skewed towards underweight or obese indicating the need for educating the knowledge of actual BMI status in these populations. Currently 22 % agree that they are on dieting while 31 % agree that they do physical exercise as weight management strategy. Cohen’s Kappa suggests a very poor agreement of self-perception with actual weight status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that among female university students, there is significant misperception of weight, with one third of students misclassifying themselves. Weight perceptions were not good indicators for weight management practices.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey
AU  - Suneetha Epuru
AU  - Ala’a Eideh
AU  - Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen
AU  - Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry
Y1  - 2014/02/20
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 360
EP  - 365
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
AB  - Background: Young adults are known across the world for the concern for weight and their perceptions of weight are known to be influenced by factors like media, culture, societal norms, parental and peer group expectations. Objective: This study explores the associations between body mass index (BMI), weight perceptions, and attempts to lose weight in female university students from university of Hail. Methodology: Data were collected from 100 university female students, using self-reported weight, height, self, parent and peer perception of weight, and weight loss strategies. BMI was calculated from weight and height and was categorized into International and Asian clinical criteria. Results: The total mean age ± SD was 21.66 ± 1.39 years (range 19-25) and mean± SD BMI was 22.96 ± 3.74. Nearly 16 % and 4 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI International cut off whereas around 34 % and 11 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI Asian cut off. Self, parents and peer perceptions are either skewed towards underweight or obese indicating the need for educating the knowledge of actual BMI status in these populations. Currently 22 % agree that they are on dieting while 31 % agree that they do physical exercise as weight management strategy. Cohen’s Kappa suggests a very poor agreement of self-perception with actual weight status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that among female university students, there is significant misperception of weight, with one third of students misclassifying themselves. Weight perceptions were not good indicators for weight management practices.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Suneetha Epuru

College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Ala’a Eideh

College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen

College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry

College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

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APA Style

Suneetha Epuru, Ala’a Eideh, Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen, Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. (2014). Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 2(6), 360-365. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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ACS Style

Suneetha Epuru; Ala’a Eideh; Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen; Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 2(6), 360-365. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

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AMA Style

Suneetha Epuru, Ala’a Eideh, Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen, Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry. Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;2(6):360-365. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25,
  author = {Suneetha Epuru and Ala’a Eideh and Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen and Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry},
  title = {Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {360-365},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20130206.25},
  abstract = {Background: Young adults are known across the world for the concern for weight and their perceptions of weight are known to be influenced by factors like media, culture, societal norms, parental and peer group expectations. Objective: This study explores the associations between body mass index (BMI), weight perceptions, and attempts to lose weight in female university students from university of Hail. Methodology: Data were collected from 100 university female students, using self-reported weight, height, self, parent and peer perception of weight, and weight loss strategies. BMI was calculated from weight and height and was categorized into International and Asian clinical criteria. Results: The total mean age ± SD was 21.66 ± 1.39 years (range 19-25) and mean± SD BMI was 22.96 ± 3.74. Nearly 16 % and 4 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI International cut off whereas around 34 % and 11 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI Asian cut off. Self, parents and peer perceptions are either skewed towards underweight or obese indicating the need for educating the knowledge of actual BMI status in these populations. Currently 22 % agree that they are on dieting while 31 % agree that they do physical exercise as weight management strategy. Cohen’s Kappa suggests a very poor agreement of self-perception with actual weight status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that among female university students, there is significant misperception of weight, with one third of students misclassifying themselves. Weight perceptions were not good indicators for weight management practices.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Self-Reported Weight Patterns and Perceptions among Female Students of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Survey
AU  - Suneetha Epuru
AU  - Ala’a Eideh
AU  - Shahida Banu Shamsuddeen
AU  - Sara Faraj Ammash Al Shamarry
Y1  - 2014/02/20
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 360
EP  - 365
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20130206.25
AB  - Background: Young adults are known across the world for the concern for weight and their perceptions of weight are known to be influenced by factors like media, culture, societal norms, parental and peer group expectations. Objective: This study explores the associations between body mass index (BMI), weight perceptions, and attempts to lose weight in female university students from university of Hail. Methodology: Data were collected from 100 university female students, using self-reported weight, height, self, parent and peer perception of weight, and weight loss strategies. BMI was calculated from weight and height and was categorized into International and Asian clinical criteria. Results: The total mean age ± SD was 21.66 ± 1.39 years (range 19-25) and mean± SD BMI was 22.96 ± 3.74. Nearly 16 % and 4 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI International cut off whereas around 34 % and 11 % of study population were overweight and obese respectively according to BMI Asian cut off. Self, parents and peer perceptions are either skewed towards underweight or obese indicating the need for educating the knowledge of actual BMI status in these populations. Currently 22 % agree that they are on dieting while 31 % agree that they do physical exercise as weight management strategy. Cohen’s Kappa suggests a very poor agreement of self-perception with actual weight status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that among female university students, there is significant misperception of weight, with one third of students misclassifying themselves. Weight perceptions were not good indicators for weight management practices.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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