People are very likely to underestimate their true weight, especially obese individuals, according to a recent study. And their inaccuracy at assessing their own adiposity seems to be getting worse.
This study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, was conducted by researchers at University College of Cork in Ireland. They collected height and weight data for Irish adults over a nine year period, through three surveys administered to the individuals in which they estimated their own heights and weights, as well as through in person weighing and measuring. Although height estimates remained constant over the nine year period, people increasingly misjudged their weight. The accuracy of obese people s estimates was 80 percent in 1988 and fell to 53 percent by 2009.
Study authors believe that this decrease in accuracy is likely due to the normalization of obesity, altering people s perceptions of what is considered normal or obese. Lead author and epidemiologist Frances Shiely adds that It is also possible that this group are [sic] in denial of their unhealthy weight, or don t [sic] want to be labeled as obese.
The phenomena of underestimating weight and avoiding a label of obese is not new, says ACSH s Dr. Ruth Kava. Although people are more aware of obesity these days, that obviously doesn t mean they can accurately assess their own situation.
