Survey: Weighty Americans seeking fitness, nutrition
NEW YORK — The desire to be in good shape and look good is one of the prime reasons people exercise, but Americans appear to be frustratingly far from their goals. In a new survey on fitness by ReportLinker, a majority of Americans were quick to find flaws in their physique. Just a third of respondents say they believe they’re in good shape, and 42% consider themselves to be too fat.
Despite the obesity epidemic, Americans do say they want to be fit. Three out of four say having a good shape and looking good are particularly important to them, with more than half somewhat agreeing with this statement.
What’s more, 56% of respondents to the ReportLinker survey say they’re concerned they’re not strong or muscular enough. And a significant percentage of Americans – 75% – admit to comparing how they look to others. These respondents are also more likely to think that being in good shape or looking good is important.
As a result, many Americans turn to exercise to get fit. Among those who do exercise, most – especially men – say they prefer to do so outside, rather than hit the gym. On average, Americans say they spend 6.5 hours a week playing sports or working out, but ReportLinker found that four in 10 say they work out between three and five hours per week – only slightly above the recommendations.
Motivation – or lack of it – stands as one of the biggest obstacles to exercising regularly for many Americans. For almost a third of Americans active in sports, motivation comes in the form of friends or exercise buddies.
Setting a goal to improve performance is also motivational. As many as 30% of respondents say they’re more likely to work out if they’re aiming to set a personal record. This is especially true for sports like jogging, where 43% say tracking and improving their own performance is motivational.
For those monitoring their own performances, a smartphone is a useful device to have on hand. Four in 10 people use one while exercising to track their progress, ReportLinker found. And 48% of joggers say they use a smartphone to track miles, while 46% of swimmers say they use one to monitor performance at the pool.
Overall, those who challenge themselves to improve upon their own performances are much more likely to use an app on their smartphones (56%) than those who train with friends (46%).
The survey results also point to a link between exercising and nutrition. More than half of exercisers, including 60% of those who care about their shape and looks, say they’ve changed their eating habits after starting a fitness program. For those who want to get healthy, then, establishing a fitness regimen is a great place to start, and it’s something most regular exercisers probably already know. As ReportLinker found, more than half of those who exercise regularly say their goal is to achieve good health.
The survey conducted by ReportLinker reached 503 online respondents representative of the US population. Interviews were conducted on May, 16 2017.
Despite the obesity epidemic, Americans do say they want to be fit. Three out of four say having a good shape and looking good are particularly important to them, with more than half somewhat agreeing with this statement.
What’s more, 56% of respondents to the ReportLinker survey say they’re concerned they’re not strong or muscular enough. And a significant percentage of Americans – 75% – admit to comparing how they look to others. These respondents are also more likely to think that being in good shape or looking good is important.
As a result, many Americans turn to exercise to get fit. Among those who do exercise, most – especially men – say they prefer to do so outside, rather than hit the gym. On average, Americans say they spend 6.5 hours a week playing sports or working out, but ReportLinker found that four in 10 say they work out between three and five hours per week – only slightly above the recommendations.
Motivation – or lack of it – stands as one of the biggest obstacles to exercising regularly for many Americans. For almost a third of Americans active in sports, motivation comes in the form of friends or exercise buddies.
Setting a goal to improve performance is also motivational. As many as 30% of respondents say they’re more likely to work out if they’re aiming to set a personal record. This is especially true for sports like jogging, where 43% say tracking and improving their own performance is motivational.
For those monitoring their own performances, a smartphone is a useful device to have on hand. Four in 10 people use one while exercising to track their progress, ReportLinker found. And 48% of joggers say they use a smartphone to track miles, while 46% of swimmers say they use one to monitor performance at the pool.
Overall, those who challenge themselves to improve upon their own performances are much more likely to use an app on their smartphones (56%) than those who train with friends (46%).
The survey results also point to a link between exercising and nutrition. More than half of exercisers, including 60% of those who care about their shape and looks, say they’ve changed their eating habits after starting a fitness program. For those who want to get healthy, then, establishing a fitness regimen is a great place to start, and it’s something most regular exercisers probably already know. As ReportLinker found, more than half of those who exercise regularly say their goal is to achieve good health.
The survey conducted by ReportLinker reached 503 online respondents representative of the US population. Interviews were conducted on May, 16 2017.