CHICAGO (AP) — Fewer overweight Americans have been trying to lose weight in recent years, and researchers wonder if fat acceptance could be among the reasons.
The trend found in a new study occurred at the same time obesity rates climbed.
"Socially accepted normal body weight is shifting toward heavier weight. As more people around us are getting heavier, we simply believe we are fine, and no need to do anything with it," said lead author Dr. Jian Zhang, a public health researcher at Georgia Southern University.
Another reason could be people abandoning efforts to drop pounds after repeated failed attempts, Zhang said.
The researchers analyzed U.S. government health surveys over nearly two decades from 1988 through 2014. The surveys involved in-person physical exams and health-related questions including asking participants if they'd tried to lose weight within the past year. More than 27,000 adults aged 20 to 59 were included. They were not asked to explain their answers.
In the early surveys, about half the adults were overweight or obese. Those numbers climbed to 65 percent by 2014. But the portion of overweight or obese adults who said they were trying to slim down fell from 55 percent to 49 percent in the study.
Body mass index, a measure of height and weight, determines weight status. Those with a BMI of 25 to 29 are considered overweight; 30 and above is obese. A BMI of 30 generally reflects being about 50 pounds above your ideal weight.
The study results were published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Scott Kahan, director of a weight-loss clinic in Washington, said the study is important and echoes previous research. He acknowledged that it has become more acceptable in some circles to be overweight, but that many patients still feel stigmatized. He said many come to his center after repeated attempts to lose weight and some give up for a while out of frustration.
The study found obesity was most common among black women — 55 percent were obese in the most recent survey years, and there was a big decline in black women trying to lose weight. Whether that's because of fat acceptance, dieting frustration or other reasons is not known.
Zhang said there's a positive side to fat acceptance, if it means people feel less ridiculed for their weight. But obesity can increase risks for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other ailments.
The findings "are a very serious concern," he said.
"We should forget the words 'fat' or 'obesity,'" Zhang said, adding that a healthy lifestyle may be an effective way to help people lose weight.
It seems America is split on this issue also. Fitness is a big business and workout gyms are full. Yet the overweight are more accepted.
Age plays a part too. If you are older , some over weight is more acceptable . It breaks my heart to see obese kids.
The standard American diet is obscenely unhealthy. I recently read a very informative book on fats, explaining that the research is conclusive that most fats are essential not only to good health, but to the weight loss process. Though I wasn't trying to lose weight, the book convinced me to be much more liberal in the application of oils and butter in my diet. I've been steadily losing weight since then, without even trying - about 15 pounds now.
The secretary in my office went to lunch with us one day. She's clearly overweight, and is always prattling on about how she doesn't trust food from certain grocery chains. I was wondering why she is so fat, with such particular opinions about healthy food. She ordered spaghetti, and when it came she dumped and entire packet of artificial sweetener on it - "because the tomatos are too acidic". How stupid. Many studies show that artificial sweeteners actual contribute to weight gain, and are entirely ineffective for losing weight.
I don't think this society will ever be thin again. Maybe in a few hundred years, when the US has ceased to exist, a new culture can start over with the weight problem.
If you want more information about how bad the state of food is in America, read this book. You always hear about how China is infringing on US copyrights, but the US is the world leader when it comes to blatant fakery of food. I'm a bit embarrassed to be an American after reading this.
It's like that crap they gave me in the hospital. Supposed to be easier on your digestive system, and labeled "Pre-digested". One can only ask, "By whom?" Ew.
Michelle Obama is 5'11" and weighs 170 pounds. Michelle Obama's weight is normal.
Calculate Your Body Mass Index
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.