What Is 'Thin' Worth?

Survey finds women place higher value on improved health and esteem after weight loss but many lack inertia to get thin

NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2003-- According to a American Journal of Clinical Nutrition survey including 2,400 adults losing at least 30 pounds and sustaining the majority of the weight loss for one year or longer, pounds that make a comeback after a person loses substantial weight may be particularly hard to shed again. This may explain the yo-yo symptoms chronic dieters face and the never-ending quest those struggling with their weight often feel trapped in.  But how much does weight impact a woman and exactly how much is thin really worth?

In August Weight Watchers International, Inc. commissioned the renowned polling firm Harris Interactive to survey 1000 women about their current and "dream" weight, and what impact they think being thin would have on their quality of life in terms of eating, exercise, health, esteem, sex, fashion, job and money. The full survey will be published as a feature article "What's Thin Worth?" in the January 2004 issue of Weight Watchers Magazine.

The Harris-Weight Watchers survey found most women believe the greatest payoff to thinness is better and lasting health, more energy and higher esteem. The survey also found that general inertia is what keeps many overweight women from having the thinner body they want.

Among the study's findings,

• Nearly all (93%) respondents are not at their "dream weight," and (61%) said they have negative feelings about their current body weight. If invited to their high school reunion (14%) would skip it given their present body, while (20%) would feel confident attending.

• Rich or thin? Given a choice 43% chose to be "Thin," while 57% said "Rich"

• Most women have healthy and realistic attitudes about their "dream weight," which they described as Shapely (31%), Athletic (30%), and Normal for my Age/Height (27%)

• The top-ranked rewards from being thin are Confidence (71%) and Energy (67%). The top reasons to be thin: Longer Life (68%) and Disease Prevention (62%). Relatively few thought being thin would improve their sex life (14%) or advance their career (5%).

• 40% said they are not willing to make the effort or time for regular exercise.

"We think it's significant that the most of the women surveyed were realistic and sensible about their 'dream weight'," said Nancy Gagliardi, Editorial Director of Weight Watchers Magazine. "It's also encouraging that the majority of women polled now equate thinness with vitality instead of vanity, " she said.

Weight Watchers Magazine is the nation's leading magazine about weight- healthy lifestyle, with a per-issue circulation of more than 1 million readers. Weight Watchers International, Inc. is America's trusted name in weight loss and the global leader in weight-loss services, with approximately 44,000 weekly meetings in 30 countries.

Source: Weight Watchers Magazine