84 Percent of American Women

When it comes to health, wellness and weight, what do women want, what do women worry about? A new nationwide study, “What Do Women Want?” conducted in October, 2007 by Meredith Corporation and NBC Universal (two of the nation’s leading media companies), points out that when it comes down to health, 56 percent of American women are concerned about diet and weight, 36 percent are concerned about eating right, 23 percent are concerned about cancer, 20 percent about heart health and 18 percent about diabetes.

The study revealed that while most women like who they are inside and are satisfied with their “identity and development as an individual” (68%), only 4 in 10 women say they are satisfied with their physical appearance (40%) and/or energy levels (37%).

Four in ten women report they are more than 20 pounds overweight. Only 4 percent of overweight women say they would consider surgery as a weight reduction solution, while 76 percent say they would “consider” exercise, and 75 percent would improve their diet to lose weight. Yet at the same time, the majority of participants say they would opt instead for simple solutions such as drinking more water or eating more fruits and vegetables rather than using portion control, watching calories or becoming more active.

But here’s the big one: 84 percent of American women feel they are overweight!

23 percent feel they are 21 – 50 pounds overweight and 16 percent report they are more than 50 pounds overweight.

OK, so 84 percent of American women feel they are overweight—but most say they don’t want to “work too hard to achieve a healthy lifestyle.” What’s left? Maybe the LoneStart Wellness Strategy can serve as a wake-up call. Look at what LoneStart promotes:

• Learn to make modest but meaningful changes
• Add positive new behaviors
• Learn how to make better nutritional choices
• Find out how to find ways to put at least part of our bodies in motion
• Through behavior change, learn to make those lifestyle changes that change lives

With respect to weight and wellness issues, we’re not singling out women—it just happens that this study targets women’s concerns and health-related behavior. Come on, men. We know you peeked—do you see yourselves here as well?