Body Weight and Self-ratings of Health

Does body weight affect self ratings of health? If yes, are health ratings affected by being overweight, underweight, or both? These questions are examined in this research note with data from a national sample of adults surveyed in 1986 (N = 3, 497). Obesity is associated with lower ratings of health among persons with similar levels of morbidity and functional limitation; being underweight does not independently influence health ratings. The effect of being overweight is similar for Black and White adults as well as for men and women. Finally, health ratings for older people were more positive than anticipated regardless of body weight.