ASD Research Statistics On US Weight Control And Management Efforts

In January 2004 American Sports Data, Inc (ASD) conducted a nationwide study of 15,015 Americans to determine what percentage of the US population were engaged in weight control management.

Research statistics revealed that a clear majority (65%) of normal Americans cared enough about their body weight to try and lose body fat, employing some form of weight management control:

• 49% stated that they attempted to lose at least five pounds at some point during 2003
• Another 16% had made an effort to maintain a healthy weight
• And only 20% of all people who tried to lose weight felt that they were "very" or "extremely" successful at weight management

Despite statistical research disclosing the trend toward remedial weight management, the desire of Americans to attain ideal bodyweight and/or to lose weight predates the war on obesity. What remains unclear is if weight loss warriors such as journalists, policy-makers, health officials, food companies, insurance companies, etc., are finally beginning to move the behavioral needle.

CDC weight management statistics do not reveal actual raw bodyweight averages for the American population. Nonetheless, body mass index (BMI) levels in the United States have reached alarming levels:

• 63% of adult Americans are overweight with a BMI in excess of 25.0
• 31% are declared obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0
• In the past 2 decades, childhood obesity has more than tripled

ASD research reveals statistics on a dangerously overweight population, an obesity crisis that is contributing to the "real" weight loss – control - management problem:

• 3.8 million Americans weigh over 300 pounds
• And over 400,000 (mostly men) weigh in at 400+ pounds!

Further research statistics on American weight control and management can be found in the IHRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report. This report is derived from the SUPERSTUDY® of Sports Participation, an annual tracking study conducted by ASD every year since 1988.