Perception of Body Type Compared to What it Actually is

By: Jacob Higgs

BMI Chart

Introduction

• BMI, or body mass index, is the measure of someone’s body fat based on weight and height (1).

• BMR, Basal Metabolic Rate, is the rate of energy expenditure and it is calculated using height, weight, age, and gender (1).

• Body Fat Percentage is the percentage of fat a person’s body contains and calculations are based on a person’s weight and the circumference of their wrist, forearm, waist, and hips (1).

Introduction

• A persons perception of their body type can often be distorted.

• On one end of the spectrum individuals who are anorexic have a poor image of their body.

• 34.9% of U.S. adults are obese, according to the Journal of American Medicine (2).

• Obesity rates are higher in middle aged adults, 40-59 years of age (2).

Hypothesis

• Null hypothesis: no difference between a person’s perception and their actual body type.

• Alternative hypothesis: there is a difference between a person’s perception and their actual body type.

Method

• 1. Develop a survey asking people their height,

weight, age, the circumference of their wrist,

forearm, waist, and hips.

• 2. Compute data to find people’s BMI, BMR,

and body fat percentage.

• 3. Compare their perception of their body type

to their actual body type.

References

• 1. http://www.bmi-calculator.net/• 2. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html