Weight

Average American Weighs 17 Pounds More Than “Ideal”

Most Americans report an actual weight different from their ideal weight

November 28, 2007

The average American man weighs 191 pounds while the average woman weighs 159. For the majority of Americans, these self-reported actual weights are larger than what would be ideal, by an average of 17 pounds.More ...

Personal Weight Situation

How would you describe your own personal weight situation right now -- very overweight, somewhat overweight, about right, somewhat underweight, or very underweight? How often do you worry about your weight? Would you say you worry all of the time, some of the time, not too often or never? How many different times, if any, have you seriously tried to lose weight in your life?More ...

Close to 6 in 10 Americans Want to Lose Weight

But few willing to consider surgery

March 10, 2006

According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans say they want to lose weight, including 18% who want to lose "a lot" of weight. Only 2% of people who want to shed some pounds say they would definitely like to have stomach surgery to reach that goal. Women are twice as likely as men to want to lose "a lot" of weight, though about the same percentage of each group wants to lose "a little" weight.More ...

Americans Relatively Active, but Outweigh British and Canadians

U.S. men are especially hefty by comparison

February 27, 2006

Recent Gallup polling in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada indicates that American adults have a bigger weight problem than do the British or Canadians, with the difference especially pronounced among men. Britain's Prince Charles blames the lack of exercise in modern lifestyles for Britain's burgeoning weight problem. But Gallup's exercise polling casts some doubt on that thesis.More ...

Nearly One in Five Teens Is Overweight

"Junk" food factors into most teen diets

February 13, 2006

According to a recent Gallup Youth study, 18% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 describe themselves as overweight. Overweight teens are no more likely than other teens to admit to abusing junk food, but they do appear to be less physically active. Obesity ties with cancer as the issue teenagers identify as the most serious health problem facing the country.More ...

Regular Exercise: Who's Getting It?

More than half fall into "low" or "sedentary" categories

December 6, 2005

Every year, Gallup asks Americans to estimate the amount of time they spend exercising at different levels of intensity. The results show that nearly half of Americans work out regularly and vigorously, while slightly more than half do not. Which Americans are most likely to work out? The answers yield a few surprises.More ...

Giving Thanks for a Steady Scale

Americans still overweight, but no increase in average weight

November 23, 2005

The majority of Americans are still struggling with being overweight, but at least they don't appear to have grown any heavier in the past year. Men are much more likely than women to be heavier than they should be for their height, but they are much less likely to be concerned about it, and are less likely to be making a serious effort to lose weight.More ...

Six in 10 Americans Have Attempted to Lose Weight

Women more likely than men to diet

August 16, 2005

Some people increase their cardio regimen, while others hire personal trainers and nutritionists and still others merely reduce the number of carbs, fat, or calories in their diet. No matter what people are doing, many are trying to lose weight. A recent Gallup Poll finds that attempts to lose weight are common among the U.S. population, and a substantial proportion of Americans have attempted to lose weight several times in their lives.More ...

Who's Worried About Their Weight?

August 9, 2005

Just how worried are Americans about their weight today? A recent national Gallup Poll asked that very question and found that nearly half of Americans say they worry about their weight at least some of the time. The other half say they rarely or never worry about their weight.More ...

Obesity Epidemic: Are Americans in Denial?

Only 8% consider themselves very overweight

May 24, 2005

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 64% of Americans aged 20 and older are overweight, and 30% are obese. How do Americans' own perceptions of their weight compare with the CDC numbers?More ...