Is fat the new “norm”?
What guidelines do you consider when categorizing your weight? Generally, your height-to-weight ratio, or BMI (body mass index) is used to determine if you are at a normal weight, underweight or obese. According to a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive/Health Day, Americans today have a skewed perception of normal weight.
Results of the poll include:
- 30% of overweight people think they are normal size
- 70% of obese people feel they are merely overweight
- 39% of morbidly obese people think they are overweight but not obese.
If being fat is the “norm”, what does this mean for the health of our country? Well, obesity can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. If overweight and obese people are under the false assumption that they are at a normal weight, they will be less likely to do something about it.
Among other findings of the poll, conducted online with 2,418 adults ages 18 and older:
- Most respondents who felt they were heavier than they should be blamed lack of exercise as the main cause, with 52% of overweight people, 75% of obese people and 75% of morbidly obese people saying they didn’t exercise enough.
- Food consumption was seen as the lesser of two culprits, with 36% of overweight respondents, 48% of obese respondents and 27% of those morbidly obese feeling they ate more than they “should in general.”
It is inevitable, the American perception needs to change if we are going to put a stop to the growing obesity epidemic. What do you believe is causing this form of skewed body image?
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