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Identifying population subgroups at risk for underestimating weight health risks and overestimating physical activity health benefits
journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-06, 00:00 authored by Corneel VandelanotteCorneel Vandelanotte, Mitchell DuncanMitchell Duncan, Christine HanleyChristine Hanley, William MummeryWilliam MummeryPeople may incorrectly perceive that their body weight or Physical Activity (PA) meets health recommendations; this provides an obstacle for change. In this study self-reported BMI and PA were assessed in relation to questions regarding perception of meeting weight and PA recommendations. Signal detection analysis was used to identify population subgroups. Study outcomes showed that 34.4 per cent of the 2535 adult participants underestimated weight health risks; low income, male participants who believed they were sufficiently active underestimated weight health risks the most (52.6%). A total of 23.7 per cent of participants overestimated PA health benefits; older age, low educated participants who did not believe their body weight was a health risk overestimated PA health benefits the most (58.3%). In conclusion, as weight and PA misperceptions are high, efforts are needed to reduce these misperceptions, so that behaviour change initiatives can be more effective.
Funding
Category 1 - Australian Competitive Grants (this includes ARC, NHMRC)
History
Volume
16Issue
5Start Page
760End Page
769Number of Pages
10ISSN
1359-1053Location
United KingdomPublisher
SageFull Text URL
Language
en-ausPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health; Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR);Era Eligible
- Yes