Dieting in America at an All-Time Low.

As America continues to struggle with its battle of the bulge, the holidays are typically the time of year when people pack on a few extra pounds. Come New Year’s though, many thoughts – and resolutions – turn to dieting. According to The NPD Group’s 21st Annual Eating Patterns in America report, even with those extra pounds, dieting has hit a new low, driven in large part by aging Baby Boomers, who are less likely than previous generations to follow a doctor-recommended diet.

While 60% of adults still say “they would like to lose 20 pounds,” NPD’s research reveals that the percent of adults on a diet last year was at the lowest level in at least 16 years. In 1990, a typical week throughout the year found that 35% of women and 26% of men were on a diet. Last year, those levels dropped to 26% of women and 19% of men on some kind of diet.

“Dieting is at an all-time low, despite more Americans being overweight than ever before,” says Harry Balzer, vice president of The NPD Group and author of its 21st Annual Eating Patterns in America report.

NPD data shows that as Americans grow older, they are more likely to diet. The peak years for dieting are 55-64, which many Baby Boomers are now entering. However, individuals entering into this age group are less likely to be following a doctor supervised diet than previous generations. They are still using diets, but diets of their choice rather than one recommended or supervised by a doctor.

“It is not unusual for this Baby Boomer generation to set their own rules as to how they deal with dieting issues,” Balzer continues. “This is a time in life where health issues begin to creep into our lives and in the past, doctors provided advice that was followed on changing eating habits. It appears people in this age group today are either not getting – or not listening to – their doctor’s advice. In fact, the #1 diet in America is one that is called ‘my own.’”

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For more information at http://www.npd.com