Nutrisystem surveyed 1,001 American adults on the subject of losing — or at least not gaining — weight. The statistical results make for some fascinating reading. For example, when asked what they would give up for the summer in exchange for a flat midriff, 54 percent said TV, 54 percent said shopping (presumably a demographically different 54 percent), 42 percent said using a cellphone, 36 percent said using a computer, 21 percent said having sex, and 6 percent said showering. Over 50 percent said they’d give up their jobs rather than get fat, and well over half (women 63 percent, men 55 percent) said they’d rather be poor and of normal weight than rich and seriously fat.

Notice that all these personal sacrifices and lifestyle choices have something in common. To wit: None of them actually has anything to do with one’s weight. Okay, maybe if they gave up the TV and/or computer they’d be more physically active, and giving up sex would mean burning fewer calories, and the poor generally have fattening diets, so there are some tenuous associations. But the point is that none of the questions actually dealt with weight in real and germane terms. Here are some questions that might produce some interesting survey numbers.

Would you give up desserts for the entire summer in trade for a flat belly? How about any alcoholic beverage stronger than light beer?

Would you give up your car and walk or bicycle or take public transit instead? Would you give up all electronic diversions: video games, TV, the Net and anything else that kept you seated? Would you give up your golf cart and walk the course?

Would you give up all fast food? Would you give up all fried food? Would you give up doughnuts? Would you give up bacon?

I’m not optimistic about what the response rates would be. Especially since the survey found that while 73 percent of all adults would make one of the survey’s “magic wand” sacrifices to be slender, 46 percent say flat out that they will not give up their favorite foods.

Conclusion: It seems that we are generally willing to make any sacrifice for fitness other than those that might actually work. One more thing; a note to those who would give up showering for the summer: Studies have shown that people with no friends tend to become seriously overweight.

(By Robert S. Wieder for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News):

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010 and is filed under Obesity statistics, Weight maintenance. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.