According to the 1992 research by (FDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Americans spent approximately $30 billion a year on different types of diet products and programs. This is because nearly one-third of U.S citizens are obese and are trying desperately to lose weight and reclaim their lives. But, is it worth all the money? Do these hyped programs really work? Recent research shows that most of the popular weight loss methods may actually be
the reason why your progress is slow, even though you are spending so much on them. Here are five vital statistics
to look at before engaging in any weight loss plan.
An Adult American Makes 4 Weight Loss Attempts Every Year
In a 2011 survey by Thomson Reuter’s NPR Health, 35% of the respondents reported having weight loss as their top New Year resolution in the past 5 years. Of the respondents, 38% admitted to having set weight loss goals year after year, amounting to a total of 5 resolutions in the 5 years. Unfortunately, resolutions, just like diets, don’t last. Almost ½ of the resolutions are always broken within the first month.
Advertising
People often opt for weight loss programs as they offer a quick and alternative way to shade off the pounds, through their phony claims and exaggerated performance. According to the FTC report, 65% of the 300 advertisements use customer testimonials, for instance: “I lost 50 lbs in 20 days!’’42% use before and after photos. The truth is these insinuations are not achievable! Also, of the estimated 50 million plus Americans who go on a diet every year, jus a meager 5% manage to lose weight.
Food Costs
Diet plans are more expensive compared to normal foods. According to a 2005 comparison by the Forbes magazine, a weekly menu from popular diets such as Slim Fast, Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, and Ornish among others came to $85.79. This is not cheap, considering the average U.S citizen spends $54.44 a week on food. As if that’s not painful enough, most people end up gaining 2/3 of the lost weight within the first year.
Dieting Extremes
A research done by the University of Colorado revealed that 35% of people start with occasional dieting, but end up becoming addicted to it. A research done in 1990, found the standard dieting age for girls to be 8 years.
Profits
With a large percentage of Americans trying to lose weight, weight loss programs are massively benefiting from this fat epidemic. A report in 2000 revealed that eight of the biggest weight-loss chains amassed a total of $788 million. Between 1996 and 1998, a survey by CDC revealed that around 17.2 million Americans actually utilized nonprescription products for weight loss.
So, the writing is on the wall. Instead of looking for quick-fixes, resolve to make gradual lifestyle changes that will eventually become a part of you.