I'm currently doing a project on obesity, and would like to see how
the number of people on diets correlates with the rise in obesity.

Specifically, I would like to see statistical survey data for the last
20 years (at least from 1990), showing the number of individuals
involved in a form of diet, and the trend over time.

Types of diet would also be of interest, but not essential.

Hello Flguy,

Dieting Figures ? Adults on a diet

Thirty-three percent of U.S. adults (71 million people) are currently
dieting. (2004)

Year        Adults on a diet
1986        37%
1989        26%
1996        24%
1998        27%
2000        24%
2004        33%

Source: Calorie Control Council National Consumer Survey, 2004
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/trndstat.html


===================================


2000 - 49 million people or 24 % are dieting

The Calorie Control Council, a non-profit trade association, has
tracked dieting trends for over 20 years. The 2000 survey also found
that approximately 24 percent (or 49 million people) are on a diet.
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/pr12-21-00.html


===================================


According to the NPD Group's new Dieting Monitor, the top ten diets
that consumers are aware of are:

Atkins
Weight Watchers
Jenny Craig
Slim Fast
Richard Simmons
Grapefruit Diet
Subway Diet
Metabolife
South Beach Diet
Nutrisystem

NPD Dieting Monitor
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_040503a.htm

Here is a link to the chart with percentages
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_image1_040503.jpg


===================================


Consumer Use of low calorie and sugar free foods and beverages from 1984 to 2004.
(in millions of adult Americans consuming these products)


1984      68 million
1986      78 million   
1989      93 million
1991      101 million
1993      109 million
1996      151 million
2000      163 million
2004      180 million

Source: Calorie Control Council
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/lcchart.html


===================================


Most Popular Low-Calorie, Sugar-Free Products 
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/popsugfree.html

===================================

Most Popular Reduced-Fat Products 
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/popredfat.html

===================================

Reasons Why Americans are Not Successful at Maintaining Their Desired Weight
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/reasonswhy.html

===================================

NPD data show Americans still want to lose weight. 

?Americans are growing more tolerant of expanding girth. In the ?80s,
most adults felt that being overweight was unattractive. Today, less
than one-fourth of adults feel that way. Acceptance of being
overweight has increased substantially during the past 15 years, with
more Americans agreeing that being overweight doesn?t actually look
that bad.?

NPD Press Release
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_010104.htm


===================================


?Nearly two-thirds of American adults want to lose 20 pounds,
according to leading market information provider The NPD Group, Inc.
This is an all time high percentage from the respondents in The NPD
Group's Annual Report on Eating Patterns in America. Respondents were
asked to agree or disagree with the statement, "I would like to lose
20 pounds."

Year       % of Adults Agreeing with: "I would like to lose 20 lbs."
2001       63%
1995       54%
1990       52%
1985       54%
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_020103.htm

===================================


Search terms used:
?on a diet" million Americans 1980..2004
Dieting statistics


I hope you find this information useful!

Best regards,
Bobbie7

---

Request for Answer Clarification by flguy-ga on 25 Aug 2004 09:55 PDT

Hi Bobbie7,

Great work. Just one clarification...

Could you please compare the % stats from the '86 - '04 survey against
the US population census - to give actual numbers of adults on a diet.

Thanks,
Flguy

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 25 Aug 2004 11:03 PDT

Here are the actual numbers.

July 1, 1986:
Total Population: 240,133,000
Total Adult Population: 177,267,000
1986 ? 37% of adults were on a diet
65,589,000 people were dieting. 


July 1, 1989 
Total Population: 246,819,000  
Total Adult Population: 183,363,000
1989 ? 26% of adults were on a diet
47,674,000 people were dieting.

Source of population statistics
Resident Population for Selected Age Groups: 1980 to 1989
  (in thousands)
Source:  Population Distribution Branch
U.S. Bureau of the Census
Release date:  March 1995
http://eire.census.gov/popest/archives/state/estage80.txt


July 1, 1996 
Total population: 265,229,000  
Total Adult Population: 196,121,000  
1996 - 24% of adults were on a diet
47,069,000 people were dieting.


July 1, 1998
Total Population: 270,248,000  
Total Adult Population: 200,344,000  
1998 - 27% of adults were on a diet
54,092,000  people were dieting. 


Source: Population Estimates Program, Population Division,
U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, D.C. 20233
http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/nation/intfile2-1.txt


2000 - 49 million people or 24 % are dieting

The Calorie Control Council, a non-profit trade association, has
tracked dieting trends for over 20 years. The 2000 survey also found
that approximately 24 percent (or 49 million people) are on a diet.
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/pr12-21-00.html


2004 - 71 million people were dieting

Thirty-three percent of U.S. adults (71 million people) are currently
dieting. (2004)
Source: Calorie Control Council National Consumer Survey, 2004
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/trndstat.html

Hi Bobbie7,

Excellent work! And you speed of answers was much appreciated :-)

This was my first time using GA, was half expecting my question to go
un-answered. So to get a great repy so quick was outstanding.

Thanks again!