Scholars@Duke

Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Finkelstein, EA; Brown, DS; Evans, WD
Published in: Am J Health Behav
2008
Published version (DOI) Link to item

OBJECTIVES: To test whether overweight and obese individuals believe they are at greater risk of obesity-related diseases and premature mortality. METHODS: Telephone survey of 1139 US adults analyzed using linear and ordered logistic regressions. RESULTS: Obese (overweight) adults forecast life expectancies 3.9 (2.4) years shorter than those of normal weight adults. Excess weight was associated with greater self-perceived risk of developing diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. All results were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obese adults recognize several personal health risks associated with obesity. Interventions focusing only on health risks of obesity may provide minimal new information and induce little new weight loss.

Duke Scholars

Eric Andrew Finkelstein
Author Eric Andrew Finkelstein Population Health Sciences

Published In

Am J Health Behav

DOI

10.5555/ajhb.2008.32.5.508

ISSN

1087-3244

Publication Date

2008

Volume

32

Issue

5

Start / End Page

508 / 516

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • United States
  • Public Health
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models
  • Life Expectancy
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
 

Citation

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Finkelstein, E. A., Brown, D. S., & Evans, W. D. (2008). Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks? Am J Health Behav, 32(5), 508–516. https://doi.org/10.5555/ajhb.2008.32.5.508
Finkelstein, Eric A., Derek S. Brown, and W Douglas Evans. “Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks?” Am J Health Behav 32, no. 5 (2008): 508–16. https://doi.org/10.5555/ajhb.2008.32.5.508.
Finkelstein EA, Brown DS, Evans WD. Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks? Am J Health Behav. 2008;32(5):508–16.
Finkelstein, Eric A., et al. “Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks?” Am J Health Behav, vol. 32, no. 5, 2008, pp. 508–16. Pubmed, doi:10.5555/ajhb.2008.32.5.508.
Finkelstein EA, Brown DS, Evans WD. Do obese persons comprehend their personal health risks? Am J Health Behav. 2008;32(5):508–516.

Published In

Am J Health Behav

DOI

10.5555/ajhb.2008.32.5.508

ISSN

1087-3244

Publication Date

2008

Volume

32

Issue

5

Start / End Page

508 / 516

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • United States
  • Public Health
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models
  • Life Expectancy
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice