Do people fudge their
height and weight?
Even though most people do not admit to it, there is a tendency by many individuals to fudge their height and weight when asked in application forms and surveys. Whenever questionnaires are filled for health surveys, both men and women tend to provide erroneous numbers.
The height is almost always increased by several centimeters (or inches) and the weight is less than the actual weight by a few pounds of kilograms. If one was to look at surveys, it would appear that all areas of the country have a population that is fit and tall and not obese. In reality the truth is the exact opposite.
In one recent study from the University of Utah. It was observed that Caucasians tend to fudge data on height and weight more often than African Americans or Hispanics.
This study also observed that under reporting of the actual weight is common in all races, both genders and across many ethnic groups. Women were more likely to under-report their actual weight than men. And Caucasian women were most likely to do so compared to women in other cultures. This the researchers said was because Caucasian women have intense desires to look and feel thin, and were actually more aware of their weight problems. People most likely to under report were those with a college education, slightly older and overweight.
Questionnaires tend to give an illusion that we are perfect when in fact we have not only physical flaws but also tend to have ethical flaws when it comes to reporting personal data.
Even though most people do not admit to it, there is a tendency by many individuals to fudge their height and weight when asked in application forms and surveys. Whenever questionnaires are filled for health surveys, both men and women tend to provide erroneous numbers.
The height is almost always increased by several centimeters (or inches) and the weight is less than the actual weight by a few pounds of kilograms. If one was to look at surveys, it would appear that all areas of the country have a population that is fit and tall and not obese. In reality the truth is the exact opposite.
In one recent study from the University of Utah. It was observed that Caucasians tend to fudge data on height and weight more often than African Americans or Hispanics.
This study also observed that under reporting of the actual weight is common in all races, both genders and across many ethnic groups. Women were more likely to under-report their actual weight than men. And Caucasian women were most likely to do so compared to women in other cultures. This the researchers said was because Caucasian women have intense desires to look and feel thin, and were actually more aware of their weight problems. People most likely to under report were those with a college education, slightly older and overweight.
Questionnaires tend to give an illusion that we are perfect when in fact we have not only physical flaws but also tend to have ethical flaws when it comes to reporting personal data.
