Journal of Health Research
BMI-perception discordance and school health communication profiles among US high school students: evidence from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
By Hoang Thanh Thu and Nguyen Khac Toan.
Abstract
Background
Body mass index (BMI) screening is commonly used in schools to identify students at risk of overweight or obesity, but BMI alone may not adequately guide counselling when students’ perceived weight differs from BMI-based status.
Method
This cross-sectional secondary analysis used 2023 US Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 17,814 students in grades 9–12. Survey-weighted estimates and logistic regression examined overweight or obesity, underestimation among students with overweight or obesity, and excessive concern among students without overweight or obesity.
