Perceiving Our True Body Size

A large part of the fight against obesity revolves around obesity education and obesity awareness.  This involves making us aware of our body weight, exercise habits, eating habits and more and teaching us how to make appropriate changes that will hopefully lead to each of us adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Despite progress in obesity awareness and education, the results of a recent Harris Interactive poll suggests that as a whole, we still do not recognize when we are overweight or obese nor the extent of our body size.  Harris Interactive conducted an online survey between August 17-19, 2010 in which more than 2,400 volunteers answered questions about their body size image and more.  The results of this survey indicated that:

• 30% of overweight individuals think that they are within a normal body size range.
• 70% of obese people believe that they are simply overweight.
• 39% of morbidly obese people believe that they are overweight, but not obese.
• For those individuals who recognized themselves as being overweight, most of them (52% of overweight people and 75% of obese and morbidly obese people) blamed a lack of exercise on being heavy.
• Only 36% of overweight individuals, 48% of obese individuals, and 27% of morbidly obese people felt they ate more food than they should.
• Survey responders believed that weight loss surgery is the most effective weight loss method.

These are rather disturbing survey results that indicate the healthcare industry still has a lot of work to do in regards to educating us about obesity and appropriate body size.  Based on this poll, there is a large population of Americans that do not recognize they have a weight problem or do not recognize the extent of their weight problem.  Without this recognition, it is difficult for any of us to make necessary changes.  The authors of the poll suggest that fat has become the new norm, which if true, is a very unsettling situation.  Knowing your body weight and body mass index is an important part of developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  You can calculate your body mass index for free at many websites, including the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's website.  What's your BMI?

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