Diet & Fitness Facts
The diet and fitness industry is one of the most profitable markets in America. People spend more than $40 million a year on fad diets, diet foods, gym memberships and other diet-related products and services. That amount is almost the equivalent of how much the U.S. government spends on education each year. (Know Dieting, 2002)
Below are a few body size and diet facts.
- The average American woman is 5'4", weighs 140 lbs., and wears a size 14 dress. *
- The "ideal" woman-portrayed by models, Miss America, Barbie dolls, and screen actresses--is 5'7", weighs 100 lbs., and wears a size 8. *
- One-third of all American women wear a size 16 or larger. *
- The diet industry (diet foods, diet programs, diet drugs, etc.) takes in over $40 billion each year, and is still growing. *
- Two-thirds of dieters regain the weight within one year. Virtually all regain it within five years. *
- Quick-weight-loss schemes are among the most common consumer frauds, and diet programs have the highest customer dissatisfaction of any service industry .*
- Many medical professionals and studies have shown that people who developed eating disorders were dieting at the time. *
* (Council on Size & Weight Discrimination, 1997)
All it takes is a little common sense to know how to stay healthy and be happy about your body.
RESOLUTION
Participate in the discussion of this topic.
1. Pay attention to your body's cues. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you feel satiated. Health is the overall goal.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(If you have an article that you would like to contribute, and is relative to the current topic please submit.)
1. Know Dieting: Risks and Reasons to Stop
REFERENCES
1. http://www.centerforchange.com/new/articles/53. Council on Size & Weight Discrimination. EDAP, 1997
2. http://www.edap.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=286&Profile_ID=41162. kNOw Dieting: Risks and Reasons to Stop. 2002