[Adolescent self-evaluation of body weight and body mass index]

On the basis of a representative sample (N=546) of adolescents of the city of Stuttgart (class levels 8 and 9) this article explores the extent to which the self-evaluation of body weight deviates from the classification of weight recommended by the German Arbeitsgemeinschaft Adipositas im Kindes- und Jugendalter (AGA, Working Committee on Obesity in Children and Adolescents). The analysis revealed that 47.7% of the girls and 38.2% of the boys do not correspond with the body mass index-based classification recommended by the AGA. This is particularly related to adolescents who are underweight or have normal weight. Concerning the self-evaluation of body weight, great gender differences were exposed: boys are likely to underestimate their weight {OR=1.85 CI (95%): [1.06-3.13]}, whereas girls tend to overestimate their body weight {OR=2.08 CI (95%): [1.38-3.14]}. The findings are displayed in the context of current national and international research results. In conclusion, the role of public health services in terms of promoting healthy body weight is discussed.