Gender differences in weight status and misperception patterns among university students: A cross sectional study

Perceived body weight is a better predictor of weight management behaviour than actual weight of a person. We conducted a cross sectional study to examine the prevalence of weight status and investigate gender difference between actual and perceived body weight among the students of Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan. Data was collected from 475 students. Height and weight were measured and weight status defined according to WHO criterion for Asian populations. Weight perception was assessed by short interviews. Chi square test was used to analyze difference by gender and through various BMI groups. Incidence of underweight, overweight and obesity remained 11.3%, 14.6% and 14% among boys and 24.6%, 11.3% and 14.15% among girls respectively (P <0.001). About one third (31.7%) of the participants misclassified themselves. The most accurate estimation (76.9%) was encountered in overweight. (P value= 0.00001). Measured weight status and weight perception differed significantly between male and female students (P <0.05).