Weight Overestimation as an Indicator of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Young Women in the United States

Objective: This paper examines the association between weight overestima-tion and symptoms of disordered eating behaviors using a nationally representa-tive sample of young women. Method: We use data from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adoles-cent Health to compare self-reported weight (in pounds) to measure weight obtained by interviewers using a scale. Fo-cusing on normal weight women between the ages of 18 and 24 (n 2,805) we com-pare the discrepancy in self-reported and measured weight among women with and without any disordered eating behaviors. Results: Women who over report their weight by at least five percent are signifi-cantly more likely than those who either under report or accurately report their weights to exhibit disordered eating behaviors. These results persist despite controlling for distorted body image. Conclusion: Our findings support both motivational and perceptual bias explana-tions for overestimating weight among those who exhibit disordered eating behaviors. We argue that weight over-esti-mation, together with other important in-formation regarding women’s nutrition, exercise, mental health, and health-related behaviors, should be treated as a potential indicator for the diagnosis of an eating dis-order among young normal weigh