Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Fewer People on a "Diet" in 2012


On average, about 20% of people said they were on a diet during any given week in 2012, down from a high of 31% in 1991, according to new data from the NPD Group, a market research firm.

Women showed the biggest decline, with 23% reporting being on a diet in 2012, vs. 36% in 1991.
That drop may partially explain this finding: About 23% of people in 2012 said that those who are not overweight look a lot more attractive, down from 55% who thought that in 1985.
Read Article: USA TODAY  

It has become fashionable for men to leave their shirt untucked, clothes for both sexes are ever increasingly made of stretchable material and being over-weight and obese is so common that fewer are feeling the pressure to control their waistlines.

I believe that accepting others regardless of their weight is an absolute.  Self confidence,self-worth and self love are critical toward a healthy life.  But, physical health is truly at the root of dieting and weight loss.  Americans are becoming heavier every year and it is this weight that is driving up the numbers effected by heart disease and diabetes. Can we as a society accept ourselves-fat and happy-while also accepting a shorter life expectancy, reduce quality of life and potential financial ruin.  Is that short term peace worth the cost to ourselves and those who love us?

It is easy for some individuals to moderate their food consumption and exercise regularly.  For those addicted to food the task of altering habits is monumental, but worth the continued effort.  If not for themselves than for the benefit of family, friends, co-workers and even you and me, perfect strangers, who will bear the cost of their lost production and mounting health care costs.
There is a grey area where love and acceptance of ones self rationalizes lack of self control and persistent effort.  We all cannot look like super models or Hercules, but consistently striving to make better choices in what we put in our mouth and making the effort to increase our physical activity will always out perform the alternative.

Most Recent Obesity Numbers by Country

Work Smarter; Not Harder!

Dr. David Marcon
Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
www.marconchiropractic.com

No comments:

Post a Comment