The prevalence of obesity is higher in African American compared to European American women. Ethnic differences in body-shape perceptions such as greater acceptance of overweight figures, higher levels of body shape satisfaction, or an underestimation of one's body-shape have been suggested as possible contributors. The purpose of this investigation was to compare body-shape perceptions and body mass index of older African American and European American women. Eighty-nine European American and 115 African American women (mean age, 72 years) completed a questionnaire, composed of three parts: general demographic and anthropometric information, and questions regarding body-shape perceptions. The results suggested an underestimation of body-shape in African American women as a possible contributor to obesity. The findings of the present study suggested that in order to enhance the effectiveness of dietary interventions in older African American women, measures to assess the accuracy of self-perceived body-shape should be included.

The purpose of this study was to extend the initial evaluation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey to assess physical activity in older adults. The survey yields three indicators of physical activity reflecting activities performed during a typical week of the previous month (Total Time, Total Energy Expenditure) and the past month (Total Activity Summary Index). Questionnaire validity was studied in 56 men and women, ages 56 to 86 years, by comparing the average of 3- or 7 day 24-hr. physical activity records (n=56), predicted maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (n = 23) and the sum of three skinfold measurements. Two-week repeatability was estimated by calculating an intraclass coefficient using an analysis of variance with repeated measures. Spearman rhos were used to study questionnaire validity. Analysis showed the survey was easily administered and scored and exhibited moderate-to-good repeatability. For the first administration the Total Energy Expenditure Index was significantly associated with the physical activity diary (r = .27). On the second administration, correlations were significant for the physical activity diary with the Total Energy Expenditure Index (r = .30), the Total Activity Summary Index (r = .36), and the Total Time Index (r = .27), and for VO2 max and the Total Time Index (r = .49) and Total Activity Summary Index (r = .64). Relative to the criterion measures used in this study, some validity was evident for the second administration in this relatively active and healthy sample of older adults.

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The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between self-reported physical fitness and performance-based measures of physical fitness in older adults. The specific components of physical fitness evaluated included aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Adults (25 men and 47 women) ranging in age from 56 to 92 years (M age=75 yr.) were recruited from the local community. Generally, the associations between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness were low to moderate (r = 30-.01). Based on these findings, self-reports of physical fitness should not be used as substitutes for performance-based measures of physical fitness in older adults. Furthermore, present findings suggest that older adults, when asked to rate subcomponents of physical fitness, may not do so but rather evaluate a more general concept of physical fitness with aerobic endurance as the dominant factor.

Perceptions of current and ideal body shape for 49 elderly women exercisers (66 to 88 yr.) and 29 nonexercisers were measured using a nine-figure silhouette scale. Exercisers showed greater difference between current and ideal shape than nonexercisers, but no association was found for age. Further research needs to consider additional socioeconomic factors and be validated from a broader population.