Every year, millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions; mostly tackling old goals with a new vision and positivity. According to surveys, it was found that one of the most common New Year’s resolutions among adults in the United States is to lose weight or get in shape. Among Millennials, not feeling healthy is one of the strongest recurring issues, with nearly 80 percent of adults under 36 saying they “could be healthier.”
By 2020, the percentage of Americans who said they were dieting for weight loss or other health reasons increased 3 percent compared to a decade ago. However, by the same period, the obesity rate increased 8%. Seventeen percent of Americans said they were dieting between 2017 and 2018; a decade ago the figure was 14%. These data have been compiled, through a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The figures have been lower than expected, taking into account the prevalence of food-related illnesses. In addition to this, half of Americans suffer from chronic nutritional disorders, such as diabetes or heart failure, and use diet to regulate them. Most people do not consider their eating as a diet, but rather abstain from certain foods for a limited amount of time, which can cause a rebound effect.
Although there is an ongoing debate about the exact cause of obesity, nearly half of Americans believe that the primary cause of obesity is poor diet and exercise, rather than genetic, environmental, and social factors. Aside from the various health problems that arise from obesity, the social stigma can also be just as stressful.
Since obesity became a major health problem in the United States, countless weight-loss programs and fad diets have come and gone.
Americans looking to lose weight are also turning to technology (internet and social media) for help. It only takes a quick online search to find countless smartphone apps dedicated to health and fitness tracking that link to smart devices and track the number of steps walked, heart rate and steps climbed throughout the day, as well as other fitness-related data, calories, and workout routines, making it easier than ever to monitor health and fitness.
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