ASD Research Statistics Reveal Weight Loss Efforts By US Population

The IHRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report is derived from the SUPERSTUDY® of Sports Participation, an annual tracking study conducted every year since 1988 by American Sports Data, Inc.

A nationwide research study of 15,015 Americans conducted in January 2004 reveals compelling statistics on American bodyweight and weight loss efforts of the U.S. population.

In 2003:

• 65% of U.S. citizens indicated they tried some form of weight loss or weight control
• 49% attempted to lose at least five pounds
• 16% attempted to maintain their weight
• Only 20% however, were "very" or "extremely" successful

Research indicates that America’s preoccupation with attaining an ideal body weight through a multitude of diets and weight loss strategies predates the current obesity crisis in America. It is yet to be determined if America’s behavioral needle is being moved by contemporary weight loss warriors: journalists, health officials, policy-makers, food companies, insurance companies and others.

Research on actual raw bodyweight averages in America reveals statistics of a dangerously overweight population with over 3.8 million people at 300+ pounds and an alarming 400,000 over 400 pounds (mostly men).

For over four decades, the National Center for Health statistics has been tracking the obesity epidemic in America, and the CDC has the most comprehensive and widely disseminated public health statistics on dieting, weight loss research and obesity. In the adult United States population, body mass index (BMI) statistics are reaching appalling levels with 63% overweight (BMI in excess of 25.0) and 31% obese (BMI in excess of 30.0). In the past two decades alone, childhood obesity has more than tripled. According to the U.S. Surgeon General report, obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.

Visit American Sports Data, Inc for more information on weight loss research, health statistics and fitness trends in the United States.