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Table 3 Risk factor perception versus actual behaviour, Australia, 2010

From: A survey to assist in targeting the adults who undertake risky behaviours, know their health behaviours are not optimal and who acknowledge being worried about their health

 

Perception - healthy

Perception - unhealthy

Actual measure

n

%

(95% CI)

n

%

(95% CI)

BMI

      

Normal

958

90.5

(88.6–92.1) ↑

101

9.5

(7.9–11.4) ↓

Underweight /Overweight / Obese

688

44.1

(41.7–46.6) ↓

870

55.9

(53.4–58.3) ↑

Fruit and vegetable consumption

      

Recommended amount

243

91.1

(87.1–94.0) ↑

24

8.9

(6.0–12.9) ↓

Less than recommended amount

1995

72.9

(71.2–74.5) ↓

742

27.1

(25.5–28.8) ↑

Physical activity

      

Sufficient activity

1003

63.0

(60.6–65.3) ↑

589

37.0

(34.7–39.4) ↓

No activity/activity but not sufficient/don’t know

364

25.9

(23.6–28.2) ↓

1044

74.1

(71.8–76.4) ↑

Short term alcohol risk

      

Non-drinker/no risk

1694

78.9

(77.1–80.5) ↑

454

21.1

(19.5–22.9) ↓

Risky/high risk

285

33.4

(30.3–36.6) ↓

568

66.6

(63.4–69.7) ↑

Psychological distress

      

Low/ Moderate

1223

46.4

(44.5–48.4) ↑

1411

53.6

(51.6–55.5) ↓

High /Very high

39

11.0

(8.1–14.6) ↓

318

89.0

(85.4–91.9) ↑

  1. ↑↓ Statistically significantly higher or lower than other group (p < 0.05).