Background:
The majority of the Australian population (63%) are overweight or obese. Surprisingly, many of these people do not self-identify as being above a healthy weight range. This normalisation of overweight and obesity presents a challenge to public health professionals.
LiveLighter examined the self-perceptions of weight status and the level of concern of those who are overweight or obese. Key findings will be discussed.
Methods:
LiveLighter commissioned the Heart Foundation to conduct an online survey on 2,012 Australian adults aged 25-49 years. Participants were categorised according to their weight: normal weight (BMI < 25); overweight (BMI 25.00-29.99) or obese (BMI >30). Participants were asked if they thought they were: “average weight’; “overweight” or “very overweight or obese”. Additionally, participants who were obese (BMI >30) were asked to rank their level of concern about body weight: “not at all concerned”; “a little concerned”; “somewhat concerned” and “extremely concerned”.
Results:
Only one in four (25%) obese participants described themselves as being either “very overweight or obese”. One in eight (13%) of obese participants reported they thought they were “average weight”.
Only one in two (50%) participants who were overweight described themselves as being “overweight or very overweight or obese”.
Over one third (38%) of obese participants reported they were “not at all concerned or only a little concerned” about their weight. With one third (35%) of obese participants reporting they were "extremely concerned” about their weight.
Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate that a high proportion of overweight/ obese individuals self-identify as being in a lower BMI category. Interestingly this trend was higher in obese respondents. A high proportion of obese individuals indicated little or no concern about their weight. This suggests the normalisation of being overweight or obese and presents a challenge for public health campaigns and health professionals.