Poll Says Americans More Overweight than They Think
According to a recent poll, ninety percent of the Americans know that their compatriots are overweight, while only a meager forty percent realize that they are overweight.
As per the standing of governmental records, 60% of the Americans are overweight, and an estimated half is obese. But a telephone survey carried out by the Pew Research Center gives an altogether different picture. The study shows that most of the Americans overestimate their height and underestimate their weight, revealing startling facts about the way they look at overweight and obesity.
In the study, the reported median weight of the women is 150 pound with a corresponding median height of 5 feet 5 inches, making their body mass index (BMI), stand just below the overweight mark. However according to actual statistics, the median weight and height are 155 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches respectively, with the BMI crossing the overweight mark. Men seem to exaggerate on their height even more, according to the study.
The research also shows that nine in ten persons agree that weight has a big impact on their overall attractiveness.
Source: Reuters Health, April 20, 2006 |
