25% of Overweight American Woman Believe They Are Not
RoseTracker| In the complexity of America’s battle with obesity, scientists have uncovered another important consideration about why American women don’t take the need to lose weight seriously. Researchers working with Dr Mahbubur Rahman at the University of Texas report that Hispanic and African American women in particular, misperceive their body weight.
As American women (and men) have gained massive amounts of weight, compared to 30 years ago, obesity has become the new normal or the average in the minds of many women.
Before we load in all the politically-correct pressures, advanced by writers at websites like Jezebel (who we love on some subjects, but not on this topic); before we listen to women like Beth Ditto proclaim that her weight is healthy and should be celebrated as a positive role model; before we risk being ‘creamed’ as online writers for worrying about America’s obesity-related health problems; researchers tell us that simply stated, nearly 25 percent of American women who are overweight say they are not. Period. via Science Daily
Share Article Tue, November 23, 2010 2 Comments in Health, Women's Lives tagged body image, health, obesity
Reader Comments (2)
According to the BMI I'm about 13-14 lbs. overweight. But I'm a size 10, 5 ft 7, and have a similar body composition to Crystal renn and I love jogging and biking. So technically, I'm "overweight" but I know I'm not. Maybe the study that's largely the problem and not women's perception of their weight.
Hi Vee. I totally understand your comment, and I am in the same situation -- probably. Because muscle weighs more than fat, an 'in shape' woman can have an inflated BMI (compared to the averages) so that she is technically overweight, but she isn't.
Also, the exercise is bringing her tremendous benefits, ones that counteract any excess weight -- if it exists at all. We all agree that there are exceptions to the BMI rule. A better barometer is actually fat-measuring technology, which I've also had done.
Reality is that the vast majority of American and British women -- who head the obesity charts now, except for American Samoa -- do not exercise and our BMI is the best simple indicator of a high probability of health problems related to obesity.
The good news about the Latino and African American women, who disproportionately misperceive their weight, is that they have more positive body image. Great! But there is no denying that they have many more health problems, too, and obesity is the biggest driver in generating those health problems -- diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
We can say it's poverty and lack of access to healthy food, too, but these problems cluster in the two groups that don't believe they are overweight. Caucasian women also have a big problem with being honest about their weight, too. And doctors are reluctant to counsel women on weight issues, because often the doctor is overweight, too, and he/she doesn't want to upset the patient.
Personally, I do not believe that the science is wrong or represents a conspiracy against obese women and children. We have a huge obesity problem in America, and other countries, too. Size and weight is a national problem, at this point. Secy Gates says our fatness is a national security risk.
We will all pay for the problem with budget-busting health care costs, and you will see a much more aggressive conversation in the future about each of us taking responsibility for our health statistics, including our weight. Call it discrimination, but the national conversation is coming.
But your point is valid Vee. BMI is off-kilter in women with a lot of muscle. If you jog a lot, surely that is you.
It is typical to blame the study, and we don't do that here at AOC. We let other women's blogs do that, and they are many. We care too much about women's health, and we will not blame the studies or fat phobia attitudes on what is a tremendously serious problem for many of our readers. I don't want to be the mistress of tough love on this topic, but I will not bow to the politically-correct pressures not to discuss our obesity problem honestly and openly. I've been there -- a 32 BMI for years-- and we can control our weight. It is a daily battle, though, almost 10 years after I got my health life in order. Best, Anne