The majority of Australian men are fat but only half know it, according to research showing many are in denial about their weight.

Obesity experts say men's acceptance of the beer belly and "bigger is better" approach to size are behind results of a national analysis showing perception problems with male weight.

More than 60% of men have a body mass index of more than 30, making them clinically overweight, yet only 36% perceive themselves to be.

Women are better at recognising their extra weight, and if affluent and well-educated they are likely to overestimate rather than underestimate their weight.

The study, using data from the National Health Survey of 34,000 adults, was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Researchers Dr Katrina Giskes and Jessica Siu, from the Queensland University of Technology, said the findings proved the sexes interpreted weight differently.

Women who overestimated their weight were at risk of body image problems. And while believing they were lighter had "some psychological benefits" for men, they were less likely to respond to public health messages about weight because they did not think they had a problem.

"The risks associated with incorrect perceptions can't be ignored," the researchers said.

大多数澳大利亚男人肥胖，但是只有半数认识到这个问题，根据调查显示出许多人都否认自己超重。

肥胖症专家说，在全国性分析的结果背后，是男人们对啤酒肚的接受程度，以及“大一些更好一些”的对待尺寸的态度。这显示对于男性体重的理解认识问题。

60% 以上的男人具有超过30的身体质量指数，使他们成为临床上超重患者，但是只有36％ 的人认为自己确实有问题。

妇女们较好地认识到自己超超重，而且，如果富裕并受过良好教育，她们很可能高估而不是低估自己的体重。

这项研究采用了34,000名成年人的全国健康调查数据，发表在 澳大利亚和新西兰公众健康杂志 上。来自昆士兰科技大学的研究者博士卡特里娜Giskes和杰西卡 Siu彬表示，调查证实不同的性别以不同的方式诠释体重。

高估自己的体重妇女往往处于身体形象问题的风险中。同时相信她们更轻一些会对于男人有“一些心理好处”，她们不太可能回应有关体重的公共健康讯息，因为她们不认为她们有问题。

研究人员说，“不能忽视这些与不正确的认识相关的风险。”