• Paul D Loprinzi.
• Center for Health Behavior Research, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, 229 Turner Center, University, MS 38677, USA. Electronic address: pdloprin@olemiss.edu.
• Prev Med. 2015 Apr 1; 73: 37-9.

ObjectiveSelf-perceived health is an often used proxy measure for disease and health behavior status. Due to its convenience in clinical and epidemiological contexts, it is of interest to examine factors that may help to explain the potential disconnect between perceived and actual health, which was the purpose of this study.MethodsData from the 2005-2006 NHANES were used (n=1,999 adults). Perceived health status was self-reported, with the following 6 health characteristics assessed: 1) physical activity; 2) healthy eating, 3) smoking status; 4) sleep duration; 5) depression status; and 6) weight status.ResultsFor every 5year increase in age, participants had a 7% reduced odds of having a discrepancy between perceived and actual health; Mexican Americans (vs. non-Hispanic Whites) had a 49% reduced odds of discrepancy; non-Hispanic Blacks (vs. non-Hispanic Whites) had a 40% increased odds of discrepancy, and individuals with a higher SES had a 12% increased odds of discrepancy.ConclusionTargeted public health and educational messages to young adults, non-Hispanic Blacks, and those with a higher SES may be needed to help prevent discrepancies between perceived and actual health. Preventing this disconnect may help to, for example, improve individual health awareness, and ultimately, improve health outcomes.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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