DOC News June 1, 2006
Volume 3 Number 6 p. 13
© 2006 American Diabetes Association
Inaccurate Images of Body Weight
People with diabetes who are overweight or obese have a pretty good idea
that they are, but they also overestimate the body size that is ideal for
them, according to a recent report in Diabetes Care.
University of Pittsburgh researchers surveyed 2,607 people with diabetes
being treated at three university-based general medicine practices. Among
other questions, participants were asked to report their height and weight and
to indicate "the healthiest weight for your height."
Most people who were overweight or obese correctly perceived their
overweight condition. Nearly two-thirds of people with a normal body mass
index also thought they were overweight.
Asked to name the ideal healthy weight for their height, 41% responded with
a number in the overweight range, and 6% gave a figure classified as
obese.
"Although most overweight or obese patients in this group accurately
perceived their weight as higher than ideal for health, many overestimated the
weight that would be healthiest for their height," the authors conclude.
Counseling patients about excess body weight deserves more attention in the
care of people with diabetes, they say.
McTigue K, Hess R, Bryce CL, et al.: Perception of
"healthy" body weight by patients with diabetes.
Diabetes Care 29:695–697, 2006[Free Full Text]
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