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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
The relationship of perceived and actual weight in minority adolescents
Judith O'Haver1, Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, Mary Z Mays
1Arizona State University, College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, AZ; Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA. judith.ohaver@asu.edu
Abstract:
The prevalence of overweight in adolescents with its associated outcomes continues to be a major public health concern. The purpose of this study was to assess whether adolescents perceived their weight accurately and to determine the relationships among perceived and actual weight, depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept in minority adolescents. A descriptive, correlational design was conducted with 33 adolescents. Questions regarding weight perception, depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept were correlated with body fat percentile, body mass index (BMI), and BMI percentile. Findings indicated that adolescent perception of overweight was positively related to actual weight and negatively related to self-esteem and disruptive behavior. Adolescents who were overweight identified their weight accurately and tried to lose weight.
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