Many women think they are heavier than others perceive

Many women posses a "fat-stigma" even though their family and closest friends judge their weight to be just fine, a new study finds.

Arizona State University social scientists interviewed 112 women aged 18-45 and 823 others in their family and social networks.

"We found that women generally missed the mark when estimating what their friends and family thought about their weight," said Daniel J. Hruschka, an ASU cultural anthropologist and co-author of the study.

Women tend to be more attuned to the views of close friends and family, but, in the case of weight, "they generally perceived the judgments of others inaccurately," Hruschka said.

Alexandra Brewis, the study's lead author, said the results leave the question, "If it isn't the opinions of friends and family that make us feel so bad about being overweight, then what does?"

Brewis' answer: "What seems most likely is that media and pop cultural messages are so pervasive and powerful that even the most loving support of those closest to us provides only limited protection against them."