Calorie Control
2
3
Low-Carbs, Net Carbs,
Who's Counting Carbs
Anyway and What
Role do Polyols Play?
Low Calorie/
Low-Fat
Bulletin
4
Low-Calorie
Sweeteners:
Helpful in Weight
Control
6
Olestra "Pops" in
Microwave Popcorn
7
Q&A on Childhood
Obesity with
William Dietz,
M.D., Ph.D
One-third of
adult Americans,
or 71 million, are
currently on a
diet -- an
increase of 35
percent since
2000, and the
highest level of
dieting in 15
years
--Calorie Control
Council Survey, 2004
C O M M E N T A R Y
Fall 2004
Vol. 26
Number of Dieters on the Rise and Carb Craze Continues,
But Practical Weight Loss Approaches Still Prevail
number of people on a diet has
increased dramatically in the last
few years. A new national survey,
commissioned by the Calorie
Control Council (a non-profit
association that has tracked
weight and dieting levels for
the past 20 years) indicates that
one-third of adult Americans, or
71 million, are currently on a
diet -- an increase of 35 percent
since 2000, and the highest level
of dieting in 15 years.
Many dieters are making
sensible changes when it comes
to weight loss. The majority of
dieters agree that controlling
calories, cutting back on foods high in sugar
and fat, eating smaller portions, etc., are the
best ways to lose weight.
H
Health professionals, government
agencies, regulators and many
others are saying the same thing
-- Americans weigh too much.
And, statistics published in the
June 2004 issue of the Journal of
the American Medical Association
confirm that adults and children
continue to weigh in on the heavy
side, with 66 percent of adults
overweight and 31 percent obese.
Thirty-two percent of children
between the ages of six and 19
were found to be overweight and
17 percent obese. The study found
that there has essentially been no
change in the number of overweight and obese children over the
past two years. Although this may seem like bleak news, a new
survey indicates there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.
It appears that overweight Americans are listening and acting,
in response to warnings about the health effects of obesity. The
(continued on page 8)
