Who, Me? Americans Underestimate Weight

by Joy Keller

Making News:

Do Americans know they’re fat? According to a recent Associated Press (AP) poll, many are in denial.

The poll, conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs between May 17 and 19, included a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide. The AP asked for weight and height and used a government formula to determine if interviewees were overweight.

Six in 10 who qualified as overweight said they were at a healthy weight. Only one-quarter of those who were obese considered themselves very overweight, and just 12% said they were currently on diets.

Here’s a rundown of other findings from the survey:

A majority, 56%, said they had attempted to restrict fat in their diets, while 33% said they had tried to restrict carbohydrates.

When asked which health risk posed the greatest danger to Americans today, respondents were most likely to say “unhealthy eating habits.”

More than three-quarters (77%) said individuals bear responsibility for being overweight or obese, while 8% pointed to fast-food restaurants and 3% blamed food and snack manufacturers.

Two-thirds (66%) reported they had tried to start a regular exercise program in the past year.

When asked how much weight, if any, they had gained back after a diet, 41% reported they had regained some, while 23% said they had gained it all back.

Source: The Associated Press Poll conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs.