ORIGINAL ARTICLE Body-Shape Perceptions and Body Mass Index of Older African American and European American Women Petra B. Schuler & Debra Vinci & Robert M. Isosaari & Steven F. Philipp & John Todorovich & Jane L.P. Roy & Retta R. Evans Published online: 1 April 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2008 Abstract The prevalence of obesity is higher in African American compared to European American women. Ethnic differences in body-shape perceptions such as greater acceptance of overweight figures, higher levels of body shape satisfaction, or an underestimation of one's body-shape have been suggested as possible contributors. The purpose of this investigation was to compare body-shape perceptions and body mass index of older African American and European American women. Eighty-nine European American and 115 African American women (mean age, 72 years) completed a questionnaire, composed of three parts: general demographic and anthropometric information, and questions regarding body-shape perceptions. The results suggested an underestimation of body-shape in African American women as a possible contributor to obesity. The findings of the present study suggested that in order to enhance the effectiveness of dietary interventions in older African American women, measures to assess the accuracy of self-perceived body-shape should be included. Keywords Age . Body shape . Obesity . Race . BMI Introduction Obesity is a significant health problem linked to a variety of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (Lee et al. 1993). Although the health risks of obesity are well-known, the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, particularly among minority groups and women of lower socioeconomic status. It is J Cross Cult Gerontol (2008) 23:255–264 DOI 10.1007/s10823-008-9061-y P. B. Schuler (*) : D. Vinci : R. M. Isosaari : S. F. Philipp : J. Todorovich Department of Health Leisure and Exercise Science, University of West Florida, 11,000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA e-mail: pschuler@uwf.edu J. L. Roy : R. R. Evans Department of Human Studies, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA