Americans are finally gaining momentum in the weight loss race, and succeeding in the battle against the bulge. According to a recently released Gallup Poll, normal weight Americans now slightly outnumber those who are overweight.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows that while 35.8 percent of Americans continue to weigh in on the heavy end of the scale, (down from 36.0 percent), another 36.6 percent now fall into the normal weight range. Americans who are watching their waistlines have now managed to surpass the number of those who are overweight for the first time since Healthways began tracking weight trends in 2008. The latest survey data encompasses the first three quarters of 2011.
However, don’t think that all the fat has been trimmed just yet. Although the number of obese people in America also dropped from 26.6 percent to 25.8 percent, this still leaves a combined total of 61.6 percent of Americans in the range for either being overweight or obese.
The fight for freedom from fat is still an uphill battle to say the least. Still, on the positive side, the growing effort of the nation to promote healthy dietary habits and regular exercise just may be starting to pay off.
According to the pollsters, “Although the majority of Americans are still overweight or obese, it is an encouraging sign that obesity rates are trending downward in the U.S. and among demographic subgroups.”
The survey was based telephone interviews conducted each quarter of this year, using a random sample of around 90,000 adults. Each participant reported height and weight, the components necessary to calculate an individual’s body mass index (BMI). Individuals having a BMI of 30 or higher were considered to be obese, while a value of 25.0 to 29.9 put them into the overweight category, and having a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 was considered normal weight. Any value less than 18.5 was classified as being underweight.
Among the groups of individuals having the greatest tendency for tipping the scale to the heavy side, are those having low incomes, middle-aged Americans, and African Americans.
The largest gain in obesity was noted among Asians, with an increase of 3.3 percent since 2008, while the greatest decline in obesity was found to be among those having an annual income between $36,000 and $89,999, with the rate down 1 percent from 2008.
While the latest survey findings are encouraging, it remains unclear as to whether they are temporary or the beginning of a positive trend. In addition, since the survey was dependent on self-reporting by participants, the the accuracy of the data could be questionable.
The overall margin of error is plus or minus one percentage point. However, the margin of error is increased among subgroups up to a maximum of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
While the researchers acknowledge that the reasoning behind the decline remains unclear, they pointed out that increased media attention to America’s obesity problem, coupled with the struggling economy forcing people to eat at home, may be contributing factors.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows that while 35.8 percent of Americans continue to weigh in on the heavy end of the scale, (down from 36.0 percent), another 36.6 percent now fall into the normal weight range. Americans who are watching their waistlines have now managed to surpass the number of those who are overweight for the first time since Healthways began tracking weight trends in 2008. The latest survey data encompasses the first three quarters of 2011.
However, don’t think that all the fat has been trimmed just yet. Although the number of obese people in America also dropped from 26.6 percent to 25.8 percent, this still leaves a combined total of 61.6 percent of Americans in the range for either being overweight or obese.
The fight for freedom from fat is still an uphill battle to say the least. Still, on the positive side, the growing effort of the nation to promote healthy dietary habits and regular exercise just may be starting to pay off.
According to the pollsters, “Although the majority of Americans are still overweight or obese, it is an encouraging sign that obesity rates are trending downward in the U.S. and among demographic subgroups.”
The survey was based telephone interviews conducted each quarter of this year, using a random sample of around 90,000 adults. Each participant reported height and weight, the components necessary to calculate an individual’s body mass index (BMI). Individuals having a BMI of 30 or higher were considered to be obese, while a value of 25.0 to 29.9 put them into the overweight category, and having a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 was considered normal weight. Any value less than 18.5 was classified as being underweight.
Among the groups of individuals having the greatest tendency for tipping the scale to the heavy side, are those having low incomes, middle-aged Americans, and African Americans.
The largest gain in obesity was noted among Asians, with an increase of 3.3 percent since 2008, while the greatest decline in obesity was found to be among those having an annual income between $36,000 and $89,999, with the rate down 1 percent from 2008.
While the latest survey findings are encouraging, it remains unclear as to whether they are temporary or the beginning of a positive trend. In addition, since the survey was dependent on self-reporting by participants, the the accuracy of the data could be questionable.
The overall margin of error is plus or minus one percentage point. However, the margin of error is increased among subgroups up to a maximum of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
While the researchers acknowledge that the reasoning behind the decline remains unclear, they pointed out that increased media attention to America’s obesity problem, coupled with the struggling economy forcing people to eat at home, may be contributing factors.
