Mya Nelson
Today’s issue of Cancer Research Update features the results of a new consumer survey that suggests most Americans are pretty happy with their overall health, yet about two-thirds are concerned about their weight.
The survey, conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation, found that 57 percent of respondents are extremely or somewhat satisfied with their health and 70 percent were concerned about their weight. The goal of losing weight was the primary reason people changed their diet or were physically active.
And if the survey holds for all Americans, our nation still has more to learn when it comes to nutrition and a healthy weight.
• With about two-thirds of Americans trying to lose or maintain their weight, 77 percent are not meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines. (Physical activity can help you prevent cancer too.)
• Only 12 percent of Americans can accurately estimate the number of calories they should consume in a day. (Some healthy-looking foods can be shockingly high in calories; here’s some salad examples.)
• Only 28 percent said protein is found in plant sources (nuts and beans are good sources of plant-based proteins).
• When it comes to calories consumed versus calories burned, most Americans (58 percent) do not make an effort to balance the two (for maintaining weight, you really need to).
What nutrition news have you learned – from AICR or other health organization – that you didn’t know a year ago?
