Americans may not be much interested in weight loss diet. According to a new study, more Americans say they are happy being overweight. People have apparently set higher benchmarks for their weight. Today's American's are less likely to want to lose weight.
According to the most recent data in the Gallup poll, 53% American adults want to lose weight. This poll was conducted between 2010 and 2016. However, the 2000-2009 data showed 59% American adults wanted to lose weight. In addition to the decrease in the number of people who want to lose weight, the definition of being overweight has changed over time as well.
While 44% American adults in the 90s believed that they were overweight, the number went down to 41% in the 2000s. And, according to the 2010-2016 data, only 37% American adults believe they are overweight. This indicates fewer American adults are now interested in a weight loss diet these days.
It is not immediately clear why more American adults believe they are fine being overweight. This data is in contrast to the fact that obesity rates are going higher in the United States. The national obesity rate in the country has gone from 30.5% in 1999-2000 to 37.7% in 2013-2014. According to the Gallup poll, the perception of ideal weight has been changing as well.
In the 90s, Americans thought the average ideal weight should be 153 lbs. But, in the 2000s, the ideal weight on average was 159 lbs. Now, in the most recent poll, American adults believe the average ideal weight should be 161 lbs. According to Gallup, the benchmark for the ideal weight is going higher over time, Live Science reported.
It is not clear if Americans are frustrated about losing weight due to ineffective measures to do so over time. When it comes to ineffective weight loss diet plans, experts warn against some common myths. Eating less is believed to have a connection with weight loss, but that's untrue.
"The most common reason people, particularly for women, aren't losing weight is they are not eating enough," HuffPost Australia quoted dietician Chloe McLeod as saying.
