Normal and Overweight Adults: Perceived Weight and Health Behavior Characteristics

Perceived weight, perceived health status, health conception, and health behavior choices were studied in 33 normal weight and 26 overweight adults. Data were collected by interview and by weighing the 59 participants (25 men and 34 women). Results indicated that 92% of the overweight and 36% of the normal weight participants perceived themselves to be overweight. The two groups did not differ significantly in perceived health status, health conception, or health behavior choice. Health conception and health behavior choice were significantly related in both groups. Perceived health status was not related to either health conception or health behavior choice in the overweight group but was significantly related to health conception in the normal weight group. Although the overweight participants were aware that they were overweight, they did not perceive themselves to be less healthy than the normal weight group. Further, their health conceptions were as complex and their behavior choices as health promoting as those of the normal weight group.