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Social Body Weight Norms: A Population-Based Profile In Germany, The Netherlands, And The United States

General Information

Title
Social Body Weight Norms: A Population-Based Profile In Germany, The Netherlands, And The United States
Author
Liliya Leopold
Publication Type
Working paper
Outlet
SocArXIV Papers - PrePrint
Year
2022
Abstract
What body weight is viewed as ideal and socially accepted? This study presents the first population-based profile of social body weight norms, drawing on data from the US, Germany, and the Netherlands (N = 7,715). Measurements of norms are based on ratings on a validated figure rating scale. Across all study populations, male and female figures representing the range of normal weight to slight overweight were commonly rated ideal and neither too thin nor too heavy. Heavier norms were found in older people, in men, and more commonly in the Netherlands than in Germany and the US. People generally perceived social body weight norms to be thinner than what actual ratings showed. This perception bias was most pronounced in the US. These results establish a population-representative baseline of social body weight norms, contradicting the narrative of a thinness norm pervading Western societies.