Avoid the Self-Fulfilling Fat Prophecy
A recent study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology adds to an existing pile of evidence that if you are normal weight but see yourself as overweight, you are much more likely to become overweight. So, the next time you're in a fitting room at the mall and a friend does the ol' "I'm so fat" thing, you might want to let her know that if she keeps saying that, it might in fact turn out to be true.
Researchers surveyed normal-weight teenagers to see if they felt overweight or not, and then followed up with them 10 years later as young adults. Of the teenage girls who had seen themselves as fat, 59 percent did in fact become overweight, as measured by BMI. But using waist circumference instead of BMI as the measure, 78 percent had become overweight as young adults. And, we can probably guess that 100 percent of subjects who had become overweight were pretty upset about that.
In contrast, 31 percent of the girls who did not consider themselves fat during adolescence were found in the follow-up study to be overweight, as measured using BMI. That number was 55 percent as measured by waist circumference.
There are a few explanations for why perceiving yourself as fat can actually make you fat. The authors explained that feeling overweight can cause psychosocial stress, which can lead to weight gain around the waist. Thinking you’re fat can also lead to obesity-causing habits like skipping breakfast and yo-yo dieting. We’re dubbing this the “Self-Fulfilling Fat Prophecy,” and it begs the question: could this principle apply to other beauty woes too? Like, could thinking you’re getting wrinkly lead to excessive wrinkles?
And, as if you didn’t know this already, females are much likelier than males to see themselves as fat. While all of the teens surveyed were normal weight, 22 percent of the girls saw themselves as fat while only nine percent of boys did—likely due to the fact that girls experience significantly more social stress in conjunction with body image.
Alas, the struggle for perfection, as a messed up society defines it, often ends up backfiring on us. Confidence is always the hottest look.
ChickRx is a new site providing personalized health and wellness advice for women. Ask questions (anonymously, if desired), get answers from top experts and peers, and browse health news delivered with a fun, fresh attitude.
What do you think? Does thinking you're fat lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Source: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (2012). Feeling Fat May Make You Fat, Study Suggests. Science Daily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120808121816.htm
Researchers surveyed normal-weight teenagers to see if they felt overweight or not, and then followed up with them 10 years later as young adults. Of the teenage girls who had seen themselves as fat, 59 percent did in fact become overweight, as measured by BMI. But using waist circumference instead of BMI as the measure, 78 percent had become overweight as young adults. And, we can probably guess that 100 percent of subjects who had become overweight were pretty upset about that.
In contrast, 31 percent of the girls who did not consider themselves fat during adolescence were found in the follow-up study to be overweight, as measured using BMI. That number was 55 percent as measured by waist circumference.
There are a few explanations for why perceiving yourself as fat can actually make you fat. The authors explained that feeling overweight can cause psychosocial stress, which can lead to weight gain around the waist. Thinking you’re fat can also lead to obesity-causing habits like skipping breakfast and yo-yo dieting. We’re dubbing this the “Self-Fulfilling Fat Prophecy,” and it begs the question: could this principle apply to other beauty woes too? Like, could thinking you’re getting wrinkly lead to excessive wrinkles?
And, as if you didn’t know this already, females are much likelier than males to see themselves as fat. While all of the teens surveyed were normal weight, 22 percent of the girls saw themselves as fat while only nine percent of boys did—likely due to the fact that girls experience significantly more social stress in conjunction with body image.
Alas, the struggle for perfection, as a messed up society defines it, often ends up backfiring on us. Confidence is always the hottest look.
ChickRx is a new site providing personalized health and wellness advice for women. Ask questions (anonymously, if desired), get answers from top experts and peers, and browse health news delivered with a fun, fresh attitude.
What do you think? Does thinking you're fat lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Source: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (2012). Feeling Fat May Make You Fat, Study Suggests. Science Daily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120808121816.htm
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Comments
That will be a new goal for me--and hopefully I can see exponential health results from it.
I read an article in a magazine yesterday that talked about the impact of just changing the words we use - that women who said "I can't eat that" felt deprived when changing diet habits - but those that said "I don't eat that" felt empowered and in control of their choices. Something to think about :)
Good luck!! - 10/30/2012 11:22:41 AM
Starting with...
I look good and I will look better because I will feel better after eating well and working out! - 10/27/2012 7:17:57 PM
I no longer think that about myself no matter what shape I am. - 10/27/2012 10:59:55 AM
It all boils down to positive thinking. Ok you are right thinking that you are slim is not going to get you slim, BUT right now think of yourself fat, you are going out to a party, how do you feel at this moment, NOW think you are slim, you are going out to a party how do you feel, I bet you feel good. Now please,please,please do not say but i am not slim. Remember how you felt when you were thinking that you were slim, you were going out,you felt sexy,confident, happy, keep that thought in mind and you will become that sexy, confident, happy person . Yes you are going to have to put the work in, but that is what The Law of Attraction is all about, positive thinking and action. Instantly when you think of somethng bad and then good you can feel a shift in your emotions, hold onto the good feeling, start acting like you are already slim, and work towards reaching your goal, when you want that extra sice of cake ask yourself 'Do you really want it, or would you rather lose an extra pound this week' If you want the cake well have it and enjoy it, don't beat yourself up about it. But bear in mind you cannot continuelly eat sweets, cakes, crisps etc and still lose weight just because you are thinking you are slim, you have to put the work in, think positive. Positive thoughts bring positive results, negative thoughts brings negative results.
Sorry this has been so long but i wanted to give you a brief outline of my story, six years ago i could hardly get out of bed, I was determined that I would, now i am exercising most days, a huge improvement. It wasn't easy but i kept picturing myself being a healtier person. I still have a long way to go but i am not giving up. Not this time, i have come too far for that.
So look in the mirror, tell yourself you are beautiful, you are confident and you are sexy, start believing that you are, because right now you are and remember POSITIVE THOUGHTS ATTRACT POSITIVE RESULTS. - 10/27/2012 5:29:50 AM
I feel for all who go through this but in my case exercise has made a major difference and my awesome husband helps too. I'm glad I went through all I did. I wouldn't change a thing. - 10/26/2012 2:31:41 PM
I feel strongly for those of you who had to deal with fathers and partners who said demeaning, negative things about your body parts. My husband has been supportive throughout all of my struggles and triumphs, but I have had to deal with family members and previous boyfriends who were downright nasty. I know that people who feel good about themselves have no incentive to tear down others, but that knowledge certainly did not soothe the hurts at the time. - 10/26/2012 2:09:54 PM
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