Eyespy: February 2011

Abstract

A weighty issue— Can you tell if you’re fat or slim? Don’t rely on your perception. A study of more than 2000 young women in Texas found that 23% of overweight (BMI > 25) participants believed themselves to be a healthy weight. Overweight African-American women were more likely to mistakenly perceive themselves as slim compared with their white counterparts (odds ratio 2.84; 95% confidence interval 1.79 to 4.50), as were women without a college education. Overweight women who could not correctly identify themselves as fat were less likely to attempt weight loss through diet and exercise. To tackle obesity, doctors should ask about weight perception and provide counselling if necessary, say researchers ( Obstet Gynaecol 2010;116:1274–80). Finger length— A thorough hand examination can detect signs of many illnesses. To assess a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, focus on his fingers. An observational study of more than 3500 men in the United Kingdom found that those whose index finger was longer than their ring finger were significantly less likely to develop prostate …