I Cannot See My Weight: The Silent Normalization of Body Size Perception in Adults

23th International Hippocrates Congress on Medical and Health Sciences, 4 - 05 Eylül 2026, ss.120, (Özet Bildiri)

Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
Sayfa Sayıları: ss.120
Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Abstract Aim: The first step in tackling obesity is awareness of one's own excess weight. Yet as body mass index (BMI) rises, excess weight may appear "normal" and go unnoticed. This study examined the agreement between adults' self-perceived body size and an objective assessment, and its association with BMI. Methods: A gender-balanced sample of 80 adults (40 women, 40 men) presenting to the outpatient clinic was analyzed. Participants marked their own and their ideal body on a ten-figure (A–J) body size guide; the objective figure was assigned from measured BMI. Data were analyzed with SPSS 23; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age was 43.3±6.2 years and mean BMI 28.7±5.3 kg/m²; 74.1% were overweight or obese. Self-perception matched the objective assessment exactly in 39.2% and within ±1 category in 86.3%. Underestimation of one's own body size rose with BMI: 7.8% in normal-weight, 27.6% in overweight, and 41.3% in obese individuals (p=0.010). Individuals with obesity were about seven times more likely to underestimate their body size than normal-weight individuals (p=0.012). Overall, 73.1% chose a body thinner than their current one as ideal (p<0.001). Perception deviation did not differ by sex (p=0.724). Conclusion: As BMI rises, the ability to recognize one's own excess weight declines, and nearly half of adults with obesity underestimate their body size. This silent normalization of body perception may allow obesity to persist within the family and society. In primary care, a simple figure scale may serve as a practical tool for early detection of the gap between self-perception and actual body size. Keywords: Obesity, Body Image, Primary Health Care, Self-Assessment