27th Annual Student Research Conference
The Relationship Between the Percent Body Fat and Perceived Body Image of College Women
Elizabeth J. Sutton*, Kelsey J. Dulin, and Libby H. Marquart
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor
Image perception is a subjective idea of a persons physical appearance which is based on self-perception and the view from others. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived body image and actual body classification based on a skinfold test. Women enrolled in a required wellness class (n = 20, ages = 18-21 yrs.) completed a survey on their perceived body image. Measurements of height, weight, and skinfolds were performed following the perception survey. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the estimated percent fat and the actual percent fat of the subjects (r = 0.660); however there was a significant difference between the perceived body image and their actual body classification. Measuring percent body fat may not be the appropriate technique to categorize body image of college women. The women in this study appeared to be more conscious of their body weight.
Keywords: Percent Body fat, body image, body classification, skinfold test, appearance
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 8-5
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30