Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the BMI (body mass index) and weight perceptions among Taiwanese and to investigate the relationship between health knowledge, schooling, and obesity. Methods: The survey was conducted at the Mackay Memorial Hospital with a target sample of 40 years and older who participated in the adult physical examination free-of-charge from July 2001 to December 2001. Obesity equation is estimated using ordinary least squares and logit model. Results: It is worth noticing that about 42 percent of the respondents have inaccurate weight perceptions. While 28 percent of females perceive themselves as being overweight or obese even though they are not, about 10 percent of males have a similar inaccurate weight perception. This indicates that there is a pervasive stigmatization of obesity among Taiwanese women. We find that health knowledge is inversely related to the probability of being obese. Our results also support Grossman's hypothesis that schooling has a direct positive effect on health through reducing obesity. Schooling has a statistically significant negative effect on obesity among females. Older women appear to carry more excess weight, and obesity is associated with lower fiber intake. White-collared male workers are less likely to be obese and the perception of obesity is significantly associated with obesity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that increasing expenditures on general education and provisions of health knowledge could be viewed as effective policies in terms of their roles in reducing obesity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 295-307 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Taiwan Journal of Public Health |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - Aug 2003 |
Keywords
- Body weight perception
- Health knowledge
- Obesity
- Schooling