Increasingly, diet and exercise are becoming top priorities for Americans, according to a survey by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
In 1999, at least 84% of American adults said that diet and nutrition are important to them - the highest percentage recorded since the ADA began conducting these surveys in 1991.
However, less than half of all Americans are doing more to achieve a healthy diet.
The report cites key reasons for dietary shortcomings, which include:
- an unwillingness to eat favorite foods in moderation, such as snacks and sweets;
- low motivation to keep track of diet; and
- confusion over nutrition guidelines.
The ADA public opinion survey, "Nutrition and You: Trends 2000" tracks Americans' beliefs and attitudes toward diet and nutrition and are based on telephone interviews with 792 U.S. adults.
(American Dietetic Association, Tom Ryan, 800/877-1600 ext. 4894)