Abstract
SummaryObjectivesThe weight status of men with overweight and obesity tends to be visually underestimated, but visual recognition of female overweight and obesity has not been formally examined. The aims of the present studies were to test whether people can accurately recognize both male and female overweight and obesity and to examine a visual norm‐based explanation for why weight status is underestimated.MethodsThe present studies examine whether both male and female overweight and obesity are visually underestimated (Study 1), whether body size norms predict when underestimation of weight status occurs (Study 2) and whether visual exposure to heavier body weights adjusts visual body size norms and results in underestimation of weight status (Study 3).ResultsThe weight status of men and women with overweight and obesity was consistently visually underestimated (Study 1). Body size norms predicted underestimation of weight status (Study 2) and in part explained why visual exposure to heavier body weights caused underestimation of overweight (Study 3).ConclusionsThe under‐detection of overweight and obesity may have been in part caused by exposure to larger body sizes resulting in an upwards shift in the range of body sizes that are perceived as being visually ‘normal’.
Highlights
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically over the last 30 years [1], there is evidence suggesting that overweight and obesity often go undetected
The under-detection of overweight and obesity may have been in part caused by exposure to larger body sizes resulting in an upwards shift in the range of body sizes that are perceived as being visually ‘normal’
One potential explanation is that increases in the prevalence of obesity may have resulted in an upwards shift in the range of body sizes that are perceived visually as being ‘normal’ and that this may have resulted in widespread under-detection of overweight and obesity
Summary
The weight status of men with overweight and obesity tends to be visually underestimated, but visual recognition of female overweight and obesity has not been formally examined. The aims of the present studies were to test whether people can accurately recognize both male and female overweight and obesity and to examine a visual norm-based explanation for why weight status is underestimated
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