Recent study results have shown that Americans have lost weight for the first time in six years. Results of the Annual Eating Patterns in America study of 5,000 adults, by market research company NPD Group, revealed that 55% of the US population was overweight in the year ending February 2003, compared with 56% in February 2002. The study also revealed that 35% of US adults believe that they carefully plan their meals to be nutritious, an increase of 3% from 2001. It also seems that more people are beginning to understand the importance of regular exercise. Two thirds (66%) of those surveyed said that they took part in some form of strenuous exercise at least once a week, compared with 63% in 2002. NPD Vice President Harry Balzer said of the findings: “Looks like we’re focusing on health again, a return to the 80s.”
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 14th October 2003.
