Visual weight status misperceptions of men: Why overweight can look like a healthy weight

Abstract

Overweight men often underestimate their weight status. Here, we examine whether underestimation occurs when visually judging the weight status of men and whether exposure to heavier body weights may be a cause of visual underestimation of male weight status. Participants systematically underestimated the weight status of overweight and obese men (Study 1) and participants reporting more frequent exposure to heavy male body weights were most likely to underestimate (Study 2). Experimental exposure to different body weights influenced underestimation of weight status (Study 3). Frequent exposure to heavier body weights may cause visual underestimation of the weight status of overweight men.