Table 1

Mean body composition, weight perceptions, and physical activity among normal weight, overweight, and obese female college students.

Weight classification

Normal weight

Overweight

Obese

n = 113

n = 35

n = 21

Variable

M ± SD

M ± SD

M ± SD

Body composition

Weight (pounds)

130^a ± 13

160^b ± 18

213^c ± 39

BMI (kg/m²)

21.9^a ± 1.8

27.3^b ± 1.3

35.3^c ± 5.7

Body fat (%)

28^a ± 4

33^b ± 4

38^c ± 3

Waist-to-hip ratio

0.72^a ± 0.01

0.76^b ± 0.05

0.83^c ± 0.07

Weight perceptions

Perceived healthy weight (pounds)

123^a ± 10

138^b ± 17

164^c ± 26

Perceived attractive weight (pounds)

122^a ± 11

136^b ± 17

158^c ± 29

Perceived natural weight (pounds)

138^a ± 18

169^b ± 25

216^c ± 42

Perceived healthy weight (% of current)

95^a ± 7

87^b ± 6

77^c ± 6

Perceived attractive weight (% of current)

94^a ± 7

85^b ± 6

74^c ± 8

Perceived natural weight (% of current)

106 ± 9

106 ± 10

102 ± 2

Physical activity

4.1 ± 2.5

3.8 ± 2.5

3.5 ± 2.5

Note: Means in the same row having letters that do not share subscripts differ at p < .01 in the Tukey-Kramer honestly significant difference test. The higher the physical activity score, the greater intensity and amount of reported exercise over the past 30 days using a scoring system of 0 (do not participate regularly in planned exercise) to 7 (spend over 3 hours weekly in heavy exercise).

Malinauskas et al. Nutrition Journal 2006 5:11   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-5-11