Studies Show Fewer Americans Want to Lose Weight

With 2016 almost over, a lot of people are already in the process of drafting their 2017 new year's resolutions. Unsurprisingly, year after year, the goal that tops most lists involves fitness and losing weight, Nielsen reports. Nevertheless, a new study indicates that Americans across the country might not be as concerned with shedding the pounds at present like they were a few years ago.

According to a report by Live Science, only 49 percent of individuals in the United States want to lose weight. This statistics is the lowest recorded number since 1991. Moreover, the percentage has greatly decreased in the last decade. In 2004, 62 percent admit that they want to be more trim and healthy.

The perception surrounding weight loss in the country is particularly surprising when the rising obesity rates are considered. Data confirms that at least two-thirds of the population are overweight - bordering obese. This means that people who have normal body mass indices are in the minority.

Dr. Holly Lofton, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at the New York University Langone Medical Center, believes that the rising obesity rates is in part responsible for the shift in desire to lose weight. Lofton explains that being a little overweight is the new normal. People are not motivated to lose weight if everyone else is also a little overweight.

"If everybody looks like their friends, then you think that you're just normal weight. But you're normal weight by American standards, not by medical standards" explained Lofton in the same Live Science article.

Moreover, in the last few years, beauty standards, especially among women, have vastly changed. Instead of aspiring to be waif-thin, more focus is given to having confidence and a positive body image.

Nevertheless, Lofton warns that a normal BMI does not necessarily equate to healthiness. A person could easily be within the normal range but still have hypertension, heart disease or any other type of ailment.