Dieting is on the downward slide in the United States, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, fewer overweight adults are trying to lose weight today than 30 years ago, the authors said, and women are leading the decline.
Researchers analyzed government health surveys from more than 27,000 adults over roughly the last three decades and found the percentage of overweight Americans trying to lose weight dropped from 56 percent to 49 percent.
At the same time, adult overweight and obesity rates rose from 53 percent to 66 percent.
The authors, based at Georgia Southern University, suggested three possible reasons for this trend:
- Years of trying to lose weight without success destroys people’s motivation to diet.
- Fewer health care providers are talking with their patients about weight issues.
- Being overweight is becoming less stigmatized in American society.
“Socially acceptable body weight is increasing,” a JAMA press release said. “If more individuals who are overweight or obese are satisfied with their weight, fewer might be motivated to lose unhealthy weight.”
Health at every size
Sarah Flessner, MS, RD, thinks all three reasons likely play a role. Flessner, a registered dietician with Spectrum Health, works with overweight and underweight patients.
While she recognizes that being overweight or obese carries a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, she doesn’t think the trend reported in this study is entirely bad.
“A lot of people are recognizing that weight isn’t the only indicator of health,” she said.
“In my work I really embrace what we call a ‘health-at-every-size’ type of approach. There are people who can be in the overweight or obese category—certainly there is a higher risk of disease, but they can have completely normal, healthy labs. So other than that one number, the BMI, they can be perfectly healthy.”
Rather than focusing on weight or body mass index or even calories, Flessner helps her patients focus on healthy behaviors—small, sustainable changes they can incorporate into their lifestyle.
“Let’s get you eating more fruits and vegetables, let’s incorporate more whole grains, let’s find an activity that you enjoy so you’re going to want to stick with it,” she said.
“People feel a lot more satisfied with that, and in the long term might lose some weight and might not—but either way, they’re still engaging in healthier behaviors.”
Holistic approach
This approach has several upsides, Flessner said:
- Fewer weight fluctuations from yo-yo dieting, which can slow your metabolism
- Better overall health, including increased energy and decreased stress
- A recognition that health has many indicators beyond weight
- Increased self-acceptance and self-esteem
“For a lot of people it’s just satisfaction with the way that they are addressing their health,” she said.
“If they’re making changes and they go to the doctor and maybe their blood sugar’s down or their cholesterol is down … that’s a measure of success,” she said.
Taking a more holistic approach to health helps people find a balance in life, Flessner said.
It helps patients make improvements in a way that feels good to them, instead of trying to meet some cultural standard of what people think that they should look like, she said.
Since age 14 I dieted. Actually… I starved. And I exercised. Truthfully… I over exercised – 3-4 hours a day. At that time, I was assured by the CDC, AMA, and the overall medical community it would PREVENT chronic disease and illness including, middle age-elderly obesity. Since age 35 I began gaining weight even though living on a 500-800 calorie diet and burning over 2000 calories per day through high intensity activity.
Today, at age 55, I am hypothyroid, insulin resistant, enduring chronic pain and fatigue while heading towards high blood pressure. Took several years for me to get over being sold a “bill -of-goods”, then learning to accept my obese self, and I’m still learning to forgive the Health/Medical community for their false narrative over 4 decades of living. Lastly, my daughters know better and enjoy their lives in a manner I was denied.
I eat nutritionally but enjoy a raised glazed chocolate donut about 2 times a year. WITHOUT GUILT! Barqs Root Beer is my favorite soda; enjoy that beverage twice a month. However consume 2-3 liters of water and 4 cups of coffee. per day. Due to chronic pain and fatigue my workouts are 30 minutes of weight lifting and calisthenics, but push mow 2-3 hours once a week and walk “WalMart” several times a week. I also garden and maintain a nut grove daily.
Finally, people who attempt to fat-shame me, or judge over weight people harshly are not part of my life network.
I’m finally enjoying life on MY TERMS, while rocking some ample curves. Though a small group, the people in my life love basking in my positivity.
We love that you are rocking life on your terms… and in a healthy manner… go Pamela! Thanks for your comment, and thanks for being a Health Beat reader!
Great article, thank you!