Most Obese People Are in Denial

1. Most Obese People Are in Denial

Most obese people don't think they are obese even though they are aware of how much they weigh, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Kimberly P. Truesdale and her colleagues surveyed 104 people, of whom 31 were of normal weight, 40 were overweight, and 33 were obese.

The researchers asked the people to report their weight and height, how they would define their own weight status and how much they would need to weigh in order to be obese.

Ninety percent of normal weight people and 85 percent of overweight and obese individuals reported heights and weights that were accurate.

But while 71 percent of normal weight people and 73 percent of overweight people identified their weight category correctly, just 15 percent of obese adults did.

Nearly three quarters of the obese subjects classified themselves as overweight, and 12 percent said their weight was normal for their height.

Dr. Truesdale said the findings show how much stigma obesity carries and how reluctant people are to consider themselves obese.
 
However, she said it's important for a person to recognize if they are obese, because being obese carries a much higher risk of health problems than being overweight.

The study was presented at a recent meeting on experimental biology.

Editor's Note: 2.

Blood Pressure Treatment Slows Dementia

Treating hypertension in the elderly protects against dementia and cognitive decline, according to a study from Honolulu's Pacific Health Research Institute.