Southern medical journal
-
Southern medical journal · Apr 2009
Weight perception and weight control practice in a multiethnic sample of US adolescents.
Obesity is disproportionately prevalent among many racial/ethnic minority groups. The main objectives of this study are (1) to examine the extent of body weight misperception for a representative sample of US adolescents; (2) to explore the gender and racial/ethnic differences associated with an adolescents' weight goals and weight loss attempts and; (3) to examine the influence of an array of sociodemographic factors (eg socioeconomic status) on body weight misperception in adolescents. ⋯ Differences in weight perception, weight goals, and weight loss attempts among ethnic and racial groups call for targeted obesity control efforts.