Time Estimation and Obesity

Abstract

This study was conducted to test Rodin's hypothesis that overweight individuals are generally less internally responsive than individuals of normal weight. Forty-six males and 51 females classified as normal, overweight, and obese estimated the duration of a 15-minute interval in a context with minimal external cues. Contrary to Rodin's data, which were based on male samples, overweight males in this study were not more variable or less accurate in their time estimates than normal males. Overweight females were more variable than normal females, but did not differ in accuracy. In general, the results offered little support for the existence of a generalized insensitivity to internal cues on the part of the overweight. Implications for future research on obesity are discussed.