Many obese Americans don't consider themselves obese, occording to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers.

The researchers asked 104 white and black men and women, ages 45 to 64, to report their weight in pounds; describe themselves as either underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese; and estimate how much they would need to weigh to be considered obese.

The researchers found that based on the participants' body mass index (BMI), 31 of the participants were normal weight, 40 were overweight and 33 were obese.

About 90 percent of normal weight people and 85 percent of overweight and obese people accurately reported their own weight and height, the researchers reported April 4th at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology meeting in San Francisco.

But just 15 percent of obese people correctly considered themselves to be obese, the researchers reported. They said the obese participants were also more likely to overestimate how much they would need to weigh in order to be considered obese.

The researchers said denial and misperception may be two factors that influence why obese people don't consider themselves obese.

Other sources: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill