Association of Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status with Judgments of Body Size: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Abstract

The authors assessed the associations of ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) with body size judgments in Black and White young adults. Self-perceived and ideal body size judgments were measured using the Stunkard nine-figure scale (higher value = larger body) at the year 7 examination (1992-1993) of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. In sex-specific adjusted multiple regression models, the difference between self-perceived and ideal body size judgments was larger for Whites than for Blacks: 0.74 vs. 0.57 for White men vs. Black men (p < 0.05) and 1.48 vs. 0.96 for White women vs. Black women (p < 0.0001). This ethnic difference was evident in all body mass index-stratified adjusted models (all p's < 0.05). In ethnicity/sex-specific adjusted models, lower education was associated with a smaller difference between self-perceived and ideal body size for all groups except White women (p's for trend: White women, 0.57; Black women, <0.0001; White men, 0.0007; Black men, 0.016). Judgments of self-perceived body size differed by ethnicity but not by SES, and judgments of ideal body size differed by SES but not by ethnicity. Learning to make medically accurate judgments of healthy body size may increase the motivation to lose weight in some persons.

Assess the Efficiency of Marjoram on Weight Control and Body Composition of Male and Female Adult Students.

“…These finding agree with Lynch et al, (2007) (15) they reported that, thin body is the most preferred body shape in Western countries. Data showed that the first priority of females to loss their weight is to improve confidence and appearance.…”

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Young Urban Women

“…20 The nine-figure, sex-specific Stunkard rating scale was used as an adjunct to BMI to evaluate self-size awareness. Participants chose silhouettes from underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese identified as current, ideal, and healthy body image 21 that were compared to the calculated BMI. National guidelines and normative data link the Stunkard figures with BMI; the scale has been tested to have validity and test-retest reliability.…”

Obesity and Diabetes in Vulnerable Populations: Reflection on Proximal and Distal Causes

“…African American and Hispanic adults are more likely than white adults to perceive their current overweight status as closer to an ideal body size, and African Americans in general are more likely to perceive obesity as acceptable, desirable, or sexually attractive. [61][62][63][64][65] Moreover, some of the factors maintaining obesity may have strong cultural determinants related to the role of food. 66 Although not universal, the positive perceptions of excess weight persist despite the known connection between obesity and the very real health threats of diabetes and vascular disease.…”