A Cause for Concern
According to a recent poll conducted by Gallup, since 1990, Americans on average are 20 pounds heavier now and are even classifying their ``ideal weight`` roughly 10 pounds heavier than 21 years ago. The survey Gallup conducted was of 1,012 adults both women and men. In 1990 men averaged in at 180 pounds, whereas now they`re averaging roughly 196 pounds. Men also classified their ideal weight at 181 pounds; 10 pounds heavier than that of the 171 pounds that was reported in 1990. Women reported their average weight as being 160 pounds compared to the 142 pounds that was reported in 1990. Women are classifying their ideal weight now to be 138 pounds where it used to be 129 pounds.
According to government statistics, approximately one-third of the population in the United States is obese, but only 39% of Americans feel they`re overweight. 56% of people surveyed felt their weight was ``about right``. Researchers feel that this disconnection between the percentage of people who are over their ideal weight and the percentage of those who say they are overweight; may stem from Americans` own reluctance to describe themselves using such a term. This is a cause for concern because it reveals a certain amount of acceptance to being obese. This acceptance can lead to a spike in numerous diseases such as Type II Diabetes, heart attack, stroke and certain forms of cancer.