Here are two things that should come as no shock to anyone. One, Americans are still overweight, and continue to be so every year overall. Two, Americans refuse to change their eating habits, making us the unhealthiest nation in the world.
According to the latest Gallup Pole, Americans continue to be unhealthy when it comes to their eating habits — and despite their desire to lose weight, most don’t do anything that is required to seriously change their situation.
On the positive side, the current 26-percentage-point gap between those who want to lose weight and those who are actually trying to lose weight is now slightly narrower since 2002.
Furthermore, Americans’ attitudes toward weight and weight loss seem a bit skewed, as most think they are at the right weight (even if they aren’t). Thirty-six percent describe themselves as overweight, on par with 34% in 2012, but down slightly from most years since 2002 and from 1990. This includes 34% of men and 39% of women who say they are overweight.
The Gallup reports display a concern by Americans over the obesity rate, and a desire to lower their own weight to an “ideal” standard. Most agree that weight problems in America are rampant, yet they still refuse to do anything about it. Meanwhile, more and more Americans are in danger of experiencing major health problems at some point in their lives.
“The CDC explains that the risk for developing coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, or certain kinds of cancer increase [sic] as a person’s weight reaches the categories of ‘overweight,’ and ‘obese.’ Weight has an impact on the economy as well. The CDC estimates medical costs related to obesity were $147 billion in 2008. A decade earlier, it was $78.5 billion.”
Americans need to get serious about weight loss, as we have ample resources available to us.
Article Sources: Wall Street Cheat Sheet | Gallup.com