Calorie Control
2
4
3
AHA Issues New
Guidelines for
Kids' Heart
Health
The "Low
Down" on
Low-Calorie
Sweeteners
6
New Online
Weight Loss
Web site
Launched:
CaloriesCount.com
8
"Cave Man
Cuisine:" What
Can We Learn
From Our
Ancestors?
7
Low-Fat
Diet Aids
in Managing
Diabetes
Low-Calorie/
Low-Fat
Bulletin
Twenty-four
percent of
American adults
are "dieting"
while another 47
percent are
trying to "control
their weight."
-- C
ALORIE
C
ONTROL
C
OUNCIL
S
URVEY
C O M M E N T A R Y
Fall 2002
Vol. 24, No.1
Losing Weight is Just Half the Battle
Maintaining Weight Loss May be More Difficult than Losing Weight,
But There are Some Secrets to Keeping the Weight Off
Most health professionals agree that a drop of
just 10 percent of a person's body weight can
result in significant health benefits.
Although some people are able to lose the
weight initially, the bigger question is are they
able to maintain that weight loss? Some
studies indicate a 20 to 30 percent suc-
cess rate while other studies are much
bleaker with only a five percent success
rate. However, there is a lack of data on
this subject and health experts cannot
agree on a definition of "success." Does
success mean a healthy BMI, losing 5-10
percent of one's body weight, or some
other factor?
Whatever the definition of success,
there is a percentage of the population
who are losing weight and keeping it off.
A recent survey conducted by Consumer
Reports found that out of 32,213 dieters
who responded to
I
t's undeniable that the overweight population is on the rise both in
America and globally. There is a critical need for people to shed
those extra pounds. But are consumers actually interested in losing
weight? The answer is "yes" according to two separate studies.
Statistics from the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) indicate
that almost 87 percent of
obese individuals and 80
percent of overweight
individuals are trying to lose
or maintain their weight.
Additionally, a 2000 survey
conducted by the Calorie
Control Council found that
24 percent of American
adults are "dieting" while
another 47 percent are
trying to "control their
weight." And, losing just a
few pounds is beneficial.
(continued on page 10)
