Perceived and real body fatness in older Asian Indians

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate body fatness, perceptions of weight status, and common strategies used to control weight in two groups of older Asian Indians. Participants were older Asian Indian adults living in middle-class areas of New Delhi, India (N = 147, mean age = 64.6 ± 2.7 years) and Auckland, New Zealand (N = 112, mean age = 67.5 ± 7.6 years). After recruitment from community groups, physical measures (height and weight) were taken and questions pertaining to perceptions of weight status and weight management strategies employed in the last month were administered. Both groups showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity using ethnically adjusted BMI cut-points. The New Delhi sample demonstrated less overweight and obesity (40.1% normal weight, 38.8% overweight, and 21.1% obese) than the Auckland sample (29.9% normal weight, 48.7% overweight, and 20.3% obese). Although the majority of both the Auckland and New Delhi samples were overweight or obese (69% and 60%, respectively), only a minority perceived that they were overweight (31% and 17%, respectively). Some were attempting to lose weight (19.7% Auckland, 8.8% New Delhi). All of those trying to lose weight were overweight or obese. In the previous month both diet and physical activity/exercise had been used to control weight by some in both samples. Diet as a weight management strategy was low (14.5% Auckland, 10.2% New Delhi). Exercise/physical activity was more popular, with almost half the Auckland sample (48.7%) and 38.1% of the New Delhi sample having used exercise in the previous month to attempt to control weight. Both samples of Asian Indians had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, yet the majority perceived themselves to be of normal weight. For weight management programs to be effective, people first need to understand and correctly perceive their own weight status. We recommend education about weight status measurement as an important component in starting community and self-management programs