Americans see fat as normal
2007-08-08 10:24
New York - Carrying a spare tire or
two around the waist has become socially acceptable in the
United States as the population's waistlines have expanded,
according to a study released on Tuesday.
Economic researchers from Florida State University and the
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found the weight of the average
woman rose by 9.2kg or 13.5% between 1976 and 2000 - but their ideal weight also edged up.
In 1994 the average woman tipped the scales at 147 pounds
but she wanted to weigh only 132 pounds - but less than a
decade later the average woman weighed 153 pounds but said her
desired weight was 135 pounds.
"This is a social force that we are trying to document
because the rise in obesity has occurred so rapidly over the
past 30 years," Frank Heiland, an assistant professor of
economics at Florida State University, said in a statement.
"Medically speaking, most agree this trend is a dangerous
one because of its connection to diabetes, cancer and other
diseases. But psychologically, it may provide relief to know
that you are not the only one packing on the pounds."
Heiland and Federal Reserve Bank of Boston economist Mary
Burke, who reported their findings in the journal Economic
Inquiry, said people had adjusted their perceptions of what is
normal body weight as the population's weight ballooned.
They said this was one of the first studies to suggest that
weight norms may change and are not set standards based on
beauty or medical ideals.
Heiland said according to 2001-2004 data, 33.2% of
American women over the age of 20 are classified as obese.
But he said the fact that even women's ideal weight had
increased suggested there was less social pressure to lose
weight.
He cited a previous study in which 87% of Americans,
including 48% of obese Americans, believed their body
weight fell in the "socially acceptable" range.
The researchers believe a combination of social, economic
and biological factors have contributed to the expanding size
of Americans.
Their findings are based on information from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention.