Most Americans Over Their "Ideal Weight"

Today is the day that most of us Americans will eat far too much food.   It is kind of a tradition on Thanksgiving, at least for those who aren't poverty-stricken.   I usually eat so much turkey and trimmings that I have to take a nap before I can fit in the dessert, and I doubt I'm alone in that.   That's why I thought this poll by the Gallup organization was rather apropos for today.

According to the poll, more than 6 out of 10 Americans believe they weigh more than they should, while only 2 out of 10 believe they are currently at their ideal weight.   And that 6 out of 10 believe on average they are about 16 pounds overweight -- 12 pounds for men and 19 pounds for women.   Here are the numbers for those who think they are above their ideal weight:

ALL ADULTS
Over ideal weight...............62%
At ideal weight...............19%
Under ideal weight...............11%

MEN
Over ideal weight...............59%
At ideal weight...............22%
Under ideal weight...............15%

WOMEN
Over ideal weight...............65%
At ideal weight...............17%
Under ideal weight...............9%

Those numbers did not surprise me.   But the answers to the next question did surprise me.   The poll then changed the question a little bit.   Instead of asking if the people thought they were over their "ideal weight", they asked them if they were "overweight".   Here are the numbers for those who said they were overweight:

All adults...............38%
Men...............30%
Women...............45%

It's amazing that a change in wording produced such a change in numbers.   Frankly, if you are over your ideal weight then you are overweight.   You may not be grossly overweight, but you are overweight.   But a lot of people don't want to admit that -- probably because they would feel compelled to do something about it.

If you are overweight, do something about it.   And they only thing that will work is to limit your calorie intake to less than your body will burn.   If you want to eat more calories, then you'll have to exercise to burn off the excess calories.   The key is not what you eat -- it's how many calories is in what you eat.

But put that off for a day or two.   After all, you wouldn't want to break a Thanksgiving tradition would you?