Previous research suggests that individual perception of body size varies by gender and ethnicity and that some sub-cultures are more accepting of overweight body types. Particular groups of individuals who positively value a body type that is deemed clinically overweight or obese may be unreceptive to weight management techniques aimed to decrease the risk for development of obesity-related chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived body image and actual body composition, across race and gender, in a group of 240 college-aged students.
