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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Observable weight distributions and children's individual weight assessment
H Shelton Brown1, Alexandra E Evans, Gita G Mirchandani
1Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, Texas, USA. H.Shelton.Brown@uth.tmc.edu
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Peer influence on obesity is debated. This study found that students are more likely to underestimate their weight when obesity is common among their classmates, suggesting social norms impact weight perception.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Epidemiology
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Social network theories propose obesity spreads through peer influence.
- An alternative model suggests perceived weight distributions influence self-perception of weight.
- Understanding factors contributing to the obesity epidemic is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the prevalence of obesity among classmates and students' self-assessment of their own weight.
- To determine if higher levels of obesity within a grade correlate with students underestimating their own weight status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2004-2005 School Physical Activity and Nutrition III (SPAN) study in Texas.
- Employed logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between gender-specific 85th percentile BMI in a grade and self-assessed weight status.
- Analyzed data from 4th, 8th, and 11th grade public school students.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between the gender-specific 85th percentile BMI level in a school grade and students' under-assessment of their own obesity or overweight status.
- Students were substantially more likely to perceive themselves as normal weight despite being classified as overweight or obese when the prevalence of obesity in their grade was higher.
Conclusions:
- Observable weight distributions within peer groups significantly influence individual perception of weight status.
- Social norms regarding weight may play a critical role in the ongoing obesity epidemic.
- Findings challenge solely peer-to-peer contagion models and highlight the impact of group-level weight norms.
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