Dieting by the numbers

• According to nationwide poll of 1,202 participants, 79 percent of Americans rate obesity as the most serious health problem facing the nation (TIME/ABC News Poll: America's Obesity Epidemic, May 30, 2004).
• Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004).
• Sixty percent of Americans are currently dieting (Food Marketing Institute, ACNeilsen Homescan Panel Dietary Awareness Survey, 2003).
• Forty-four percent of all adults say they are making an attempt to restrict the amount of carbohydrates in their diets, while 64 percent say they are making an attempt to restrict the amount of fat in their diets (Opinion Dynamics Food Services Newsletter, Spring 2004).
• Nearly 30 percent of Americans say they are not on a specific diet, but are using a "diet of own design" (Food Marketing Institute, ACNeilsen Homescan Panel, Dietary Awareness Survey, 2003).
• Approximately 33 million Americans (15% of the population) are currently on the Atkins diet or another low carbohydrate regimen. Half the country reports itself to be on a diet or weight loss program, representing more than 100 million people in search of better nutrition (International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, IFMA World, Spring 2004).
• Three out of five low-carb dieters say they plan to limit their carbohydrate intake for life (Mintel International, cited in "The Low Carb Frenzy," Time Magazine, May 3, 2004).
• Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population consumed low-carb and high-protein foods in 2002 and 21 percent of all households increased their use of low-carb foods last year (Natural Marketing Institute's Health and Wellness Trends Report, 2003).
• Eighty-two percent of survey respondents said they thought the low carb trends would last, with 51 percent saying they thought it would last forever (Grocery Manufacturers of America and SupermarketGuru).
• On average, consumers are most likely to seek out healthy meal options at lunch (International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, IFMA World, Spring 2004).
• Nearly 60 percent of Americans tend to lose their health consciousness and indulge when dining out in large groups or for special occasions, while only 30 percent continue to eat healthfully (International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, IFMA World, Spring 2004).