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Cited by 342Obesity, Physical Activity, DietEating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Attempting to lose weight

Kruger, Judy, Galuska, Deborah A, Serdula, Mary K, Jones, Deborah A·2004·American Journal of Preventive Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2004.02.001
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Abstract

Background Americans spend over $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services. Although weight-control methods are of considerable public health interest, few national data on weight-loss practices are available. This paper examines the prevalence of specific weight-loss practices among U.S. adults trying to lose weight.Methods Data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey, which was conducted through face-to-face interviews of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (n =32,440), were analyzed in 2003.Results Twenty-four percent of men and 38% of women were trying to lose weight. Attempting weight loss was less common among normal weight (body mass index [BMI]<25 kg/m(2)) people (6% men, 24% women) than overweight (BMI>/=25 to 30 kg/m(2)) people (28%, 49%) or obese (BMI>/=30 kg/m(2)) people (50%, 58%). Among those trying to lose weight, the most common strategies were eating fewer calories (58% men, 63% women); eating less fat (49%, 56%); and exercising more (54%, 52%). Less frequent strategies were skipping meals (11% men, 9% women); eating food supplements (5%, 6%); joining a weight-loss program (3%, 5%); taking diet pills (2%, 3%); taking water pills or diuretics (1%, 2%); or fasting for >/=24 hours (0.6%, 0.7%). Only one third of all those trying to lose weight reported eating fewer calories and exercising more.Conclusions Increased efforts are needed among all those trying to lose weight to promote effective strategies for weight loss, including the use of calorie reduction and increased physical activity.

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Authors
Kruger, J., Galuska, D. A., Serdula, M. K., & Jones, D. A.
Affiliations
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US)
Corresponding author
Kruger, Judy
ORCID
Jones, Deborah A
Venue
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-06
Volume
26
Issue
5
Pages
402-406
ISSN
0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.amepre.2004.02.001
OpenAlex
W2058626103
Cited by
342
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 30
FWCI
12.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
weight loss, weight loss practices, obesity, overweight, calorie reduction, physical activity, dietary fat restriction, meal skipping, weight loss supplements, diuretics, fasting, sex differences, body mass index, weight control strategies
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Appetite Depressants, Energy Intake, Cathartics, Diet, Reducing, Diuretics, Educational Status, Feeding Behavior, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Sex Factors, United States, Vomiting, Weight Loss, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Age Distribution, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Dietary Supplements, Racial Groups

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