Study: Fewer Overweight and Obese Adults are Attempting to Lose Weight
Although rates of overweight and obesity have continued to increase over the last 30 years, the number of adults attempting to lose unhealthy overweight has decreased, according to the results of a recent study.
In order to assess trends in the percentage of adults attempting to lose weight, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 3 time periods: 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2009 to 2014. All of the 27,350 participants (aged 20 to 59 years) were overweight or obese, with overweight defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 to under 30 kg/m2, and with obesity defined as a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2.
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Overall, the researchers found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity rose by 13%, from 53% in 1988 to 1994 to 66% in 2009 to 2014. However, the percentage of individuals who attempted to lose weight decreased from 56% in 1988 to 1994 to 49% in 2009 to 2014. Despite having the highest prevalence of obesity, the decline in attempted weight loss was largest among black women (66% to 55%).
Although they were unable to determine a direct cause for the change in trends, the researchers speculated that social acceptance of higher body weight may be involved.
“Socially acceptable body weight is increasing. If more individuals who are overweight or obese are satisfied with their weight, fewer might be motivated to lose unhealthy weight,” they wrote.
Chronicity of obesity was also cited as a potential cause, as adults could become more unwilling to attempt to lose weight the longer they live with obesity.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Snook KR, Hansen AR, Duke CH, et al. Change in percentages of adults with overweight or obesity trying to lose weight, 1988-2014. JAMA. 2017;317(9):971-973.