Changing perceptions of weight in Great Britain: comparison of two population surveys

BMJ. 2008 Jul 10:337:a494. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a494.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine changes in public perceptions of overweight in Great Britain over an eight year period.

Design: Comparison of data on self perceived weight from population surveys in 1999 and 2007.

Setting: Household surveys of two representative samples in Great Britain.

Participants: 853 men and 944 women in 1999, and 847 men and 989 women in 2007.

Main outcome measures: Participants were asked to report their weight and height and classify their body size on a scale from "very underweight" to "obese."

Results: Self reported weights increased dramatically over time, but the weight at which people perceived themselves to be overweight also rose significantly. In 1999, 81% of overweight participants correctly identified themselves as overweight compared with 75% in 2007, demonstrating a decrease in sensitivity in the self diagnosis of overweight.

Conclusions: Despite media and health campaigns aiming to raise awareness of healthy weight, increasing numbers of overweight people fail to recognise that their weight is a cause for concern. This makes it less likely that they will see calls for weight control as personally relevant.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Overweight / psychology*
  • Perception
  • Public Opinion*
  • Sex Distribution
  • United Kingdom