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Abstract
Background and aim: The relationships between self-estimated adiposity using Stunkard's body silhouette scale with general and central adiposity in adolescents are unclear. This study examines the criterion validity of Stunkard's body silhouette scale as a self-estimated rating of adiposity against anthropometric measures of adiposity and percentage body fat in Hong Kong adolescents.
Subjects and methods: The body composition of 903 adolescents (55.7% boys) was assessed by measured waist circumference (WC), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR), body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF). Self-estimated adiposity was subjectively assessed using Stunkard's body silhouette scale. The association between self-estimated adiposity and body composition was examined by Spearman correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analyses.
Results: Self-estimated adiposity correlated significantly and positively with BMI (boys: r = 0.65; girls: r = 0.59), WC (boys: r = 0.62; girls: r = 0.51), WSR (boys: r = 0.55; girls: r = 0.42) and %BF (boys: r = 0.47; girls: r = 0.55).
Conclusion: Self-estimated adiposity using the Stunkard's body silhouette scale was positively associated with actual measures of adiposity; however, the association was modest at best. It is unlikely that the Stunkard's body silhouette scale provides a suitably accurate substitute for actual body composition measures in Chinese adolescents.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.