title: Comparative optimism about healthy eating.
abstract: The present study investigated people's perception of their own as compared to their peers' healthy eating and related these perceptions to actual healthy eating, BMI, and subsequent healthy eating behavior. Data were collected within the framework of the longitudinal cohort study Konstanz Life Study (T1: N = 770; T2: N = 510). Our results demonstrated an optimistic bias on the group level. Specifically, people rated their own eating behavior as healthier on average than that of their average peers. This comparative optimism occurred even when actual healthy eating was unfavorable and BMI was high. However, it increased with actual healthy eating behavior. Importantly, optimistic perceptions were positively related to the intention to eat healthily and healthy eating six months later. Hence, the results suggest that an optimistic comparative view of one's own healthy eating is grounded in reality and boosts rather than deters subsequent health behavior. This implies that there might not be a need to reduce optimistic perceptions of healthy eating behavior.
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, Psychological Assessment and Health Psychology, Box 47, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany. Electronic address: gudrun.sproesser@uni-konstanz.de.
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sproesser
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, Psychological Assessment and Health Psychology, Box 47, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Klusmann
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, General Psychology, Box 36, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Schupp
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, Psychological Assessment and Health Psychology, Box 47, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Renner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067656:Optimism / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: BMI; Healthy eating; Intention; Perceived healthiness; Self-perception; Unrealistic optimism