From beer to cronuts, Americans can't get enough if our national obesity problem is any indication. But a new study reveals many of us are in denial about our health—and are actually less healthy than we perceive.

In a study commissioned by Aetna, the insurance giant measured everything from how we rank our health compared with other generations—to why some of us exercise at all: To look good in our underwear.



"There is a disconnect," mused Keri Gans, about the study's participants. "It's surprising."



For example, while 67 percent of people believe they need to lose a median of 25 pounds, another 54 percent believe they can be healthy—even if they're overweight, the "What's Your Healthy" study found.

But jokes aside, misinformation can mean serious health consequences. More than a third of adults are classified as obese by the Centers for Disease Control.

"Being healthy is about being at a healthy body weight ... the higher their weight goes, the higher their risk increases," said Gans, also author of the "The Small Change Diet."



"There is that road to health. More people are getting on it," she said. "I just think we need more people to be on that road."



(Read More: American Medical Association Wants Obesity Treated as Disease)

