Is 'fat' the new normal? Fewer overweight people are dieting, study finds

CHICAGO — Although weight gain has continued among U.S. adults, fewer report trying to lose weight, according to a study appearing in the March 7 issue of JAMA.



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. Jian Zhang, of Georgia Southern University, and colleagues used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess the trend in the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese and trying to lose weight during three periods: from 1988-1994, 1999-2004 and 2009-2014.



Participants ages 20 to 59 years who were overweight (a body mass index of 25 to less than 30) or obese (BMI 30 or greater) were included. The question of interest was "During the past 12 months, have you tried to lose weight?"



The study included 27,350 adults. Overweight and obesity prevalence increased throughout the study period, from 53% in 1988-1994 to 66% in 2009-2014. The percentages of adults who were overweight or obese and trying to lose weight declined during the same period, from 56% in 1988-1994 to 49% in 2009-2014.



The fact that fewer adults are trying to lose weight may be due to body weight misperception that reduces the motivation to engage in weight loss efforts, or primary care clinicians not discussing weight issues with patients. Also, the longer adults live with obesity, the less they may be willing to attempt weight loss, in particular if they had attempted weight loss multiple times without success, the authors noted.