Chinese-Americans Are Poor Judges of Weight.

• Position: OBESITY PERCEPTION

Worldwide, obesity is becoming more prevalent. According to The World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, worldwide obesity nearly has doubled, and has been identified as a major source of unsustainable health costs and numerous adverse outcomes, including morbidity and mortality due to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer.

Chinese-Americans make up the largest subgroup of Asian-Americans and represent four percent of the total U.S. population. However, when compared to their counterparts in China, Chinese-Americans have an increased risk for obesity due to immigration and environmental changes they face in the U.S.

A study published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice by researchers affiliated with New York University's College of Nursing explored the accuracy of body-weight perception and its impact on obesity in Chinese-Americans by examining the associations between participants' accuracy of body-weight perception in relation to obesity-related physical characteristics and indicators.

Approximately one-third of Chinese-Americans incorrectly perceived their body weight. Research has shown accuracy of body-weight perception to predict lifestyle behaviors, efforts to lose weight, and even medical visits.

Significant variations were found among participants in three groups of different accuracy of body-weight perception in terms of gender, age, and education years. In the...