Table 2. Perceived Weight Status and Perceived Health Effect Among Participants (N = 75) by Weight Category, Qualitative Study on Overweight and Health Among South Asians, Chicago, Illinois, 2006–2007.
| BMI Category | Actual Weight Status, n (N = 75) | Actual Weight Status of Participants in Analysis of Self-Perceived Weight, n (n = 57)a | Perceives Self to Be Normal Weight or Underweightb, n (n = 57)a | Actual Weight Status of Participants in Analysis of Self-Perceived Health Effects, n (n = 64)c | Perceives Personal Health Effects Due to Weightd, n (%) (n = 64)c |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO-defined BMI categories for the general population (kg/m2) | |||||
| <18.5 (Underweight) or 18.5 to <25 (normal weight) | 25 | 20 | 17 (85) | 20 | NA |
| Overweight (BMI 25.0 to <30.0) | 30 | 20 | 8 (40) | 27 | 13 (48) |
| Obese (BMI ≥30.0) | 20 | 17 | 2 (12) | 17 | 14 (82) |
| WHO-defined BMI categories for Asian populations (kg/m2) | |||||
| <18.5 (Underweight) or 18.5 to <23 (normal weight) | 11 | 10 | 10 (100) | 9 | NA |
| Overweight (BMI 23.0 to <27.5) | 29 | 20 | 12 (60) | 24 | 5 (21) |
| Obese (BMI ≥27.5) | 35 | 27 | 5 (19) | 31 | 23 (74) |
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; WHO, World Health Organization; NA, not applicable to analysis.
a Analysis excludes 18 participants whose perceptions could not be categorized.
b Perceived weight status was coded as underweight if participants described their weight as low or needing to gain; normal weight if they described their weight as normal or fine; and overweight if they described their weight as high, overweight, or needing to lose.
c Analysis excludes 11 participants whose responses could not be categorized.
d Perceived health effects of weight were coded as present or absent.