Weight perception and factors associated with misperception among university students in Turkey: A descriptive survey

Weight misperception (WM) is common and associated with adverse health outcomes. Moreover, it may be associated with anti-obesity medication misuse. Previous studies in other countries report that WM is common among university students. However, its frequency differs between countries, and data regarding university students in Turkey are lacking. We designed and conducted a descriptive survey on a university campus in Turkey. Demographic, anthropometric, educational, nutritional, and perceptional data were acquired. WM was analyzed by a verbal scale and a previously developed and validated body size guide scale. Appropriate perception (AP) was defined as "being in the body mass index group in total concordance with visual or verbal weight perception question's answers" Misperceptions were grouped as weight overestimation and underestimation. Factors associated with misperceptions were analyzed using multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis. 748 participants were included in the analysis. Median age was 21 (2), and 437 (58.4%) participants were female. Verbal and visually APs were 75% and 65%, respectively. Female participants had significantly higher AP rates in both verbal and visual scales (79.6% vs 67.5%, and 70% vs 58.8%; P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). Among participants with misperception, the females had significantly higher overestimation rates (12.8% vs 2.6%, P < .001), while the males had significantly higher underestimation rates (7.6% vs 29.6%, P = .001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that body-mass index, gender, tobacco use, overall health perception, physical self-esteem, and fast-food serving were associated with misperception in different models. This study demonstrated that WM is common among university students in Turkey, and the major predictors are gender and body-mass index. However, these variables have opposite effects in different WM types. While being a lean female is associated with weight overestimation, being an overweight male is associated with weight underestimation. Previous studies illustrate both parallel and conflicting results, which may be explained by different ages and cultural aspects of the study that has been undertaken. Further research with larger and more diverse populations may elucidate this controversy.