"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Well, apparently that's not the case in the 50 states. Americans are just a bit self-centered, or maybe they're just in denial?
A recent Gallup poll surveyed 3,066 adults from 2011-13 and revealed that only 36 percent of Americans viewed themselves as overweight.
Now, if you have washboard abs, please continue eating your donut while reading.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control came up with figures that represented the overweight population, and those numbers were a little higher than a mere 36 percent.
Sixty-nine percent, or two-thirds, of the American population is considered to be overweight, though many are not actively trying to lose weight.
For those who have come to terms with their heavier selves, 18 percent said they are working to lose weight, while another 18 percent said they are not trying to shed the pounds.
The Gallup poll was based on telephone interviews in which interviewers gathered participants' height and weight in order to calculate each individual's BMI, or body mass index. It's unclear from the sound of a voice whether or not Matthew McConaughey was sitting on the couch and calling the phone line.
A whopping 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women feel as if they are healthy just the way they are and seem pleased with the person staring back at them in the mirror. Women, however, are more likely to admit that they are "very" or "somewhat" overweight, according to Gallup.
Younger adults between the ages of 18 and 34 expressed satisfaction with their appearances and well-being, with 68 percent saying that they are the perfect size. Twelve percent admitted that they need to make changes to their lifestyles to become more fit.
Although weight is a physical issue, it seems to be paired with a mental blockage in that Americans fail to understand or recognize the severity of obesity in the country.
As a matter of fact, the number on the scale isn't the only way that people view themselves as superior to others. Psychological research has uncovered other ways in which individuals perceive themselves as above-average, according to Science of Us. The findings suggested that people think they're better-looking overall than they actually are.
Another study focused on prisoners who were convicted of robbery or violent crimes, and they referred to themselves as kind, honest and trustworthy - more so than a non-prisoner.
Let's be honest with ourselves and quit the exaggerations.
