A new poll out from Gallup finds that American weigh 20 pounds more than they did 20 years ago and their perceptions of ideal weights have also increased nearly 10 pounds during that time. The average American male now weighs 196 pounds, while American women weigh 160 pounds. Men say their ideal weight in 181 pounds (up from 171 pounds 20 years ago) and women cite 138 as their target weight (up from 129 pounds).
64 percent of men are over their ideal weight and 68 percent of women are as well. The average man weighs 15 pounds over his ideal weight while the average woman tops the scale at 22 pounds over her ideal weight. One fourth of all Americans meet the clinical definition of obesity and 61 percent of people are either overweight or obese.
Looking for some good news here? There is none. We have a full-fledged public health emergency.
More coverage of obesity issues:
- - Half of America Consumes Sugar Drinks
- - Hungary Introduces Fat Tax to Fight Obesity
- - Should Kids Diet?
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