Has obesity ever been a cause of serious health problems in your family?
Yes, has
No, has not
No opinion
%
%
%
2019 Jul 1-12
19
81
*
2018 Jul 1-11
24
76
*
2007 Jul 12-15
28
71
1
Gallup
How often do you worry about your weight? Would you say you worry all of the time, some of the time, not too often or never?
All of the time
Some of the time
Not too often
Never
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
National adults
2019 Jul 1-12
15
28
31
25
*
2014 Jul 7-10
15
30
31
24
*
2012 Jul 9-12
16
32
30
21
*
2010 Jul 8-11
14
34
28
25
*
2005 Jul 7-10
15
34
29
22
*
1999 Jul 22-25
15
27
34
24
*
1990 Oct 11-14
7
27
33
33
*
Men
2019 Jul 1-12
10
25
33
32
*
2014 Jul 7-10
9
26
33
32
--
2012 Jul 9-12
12
29
32
26
1
2010 Jul 8-11
8
27
31
33
*
2005 Jul 7-10
8
31
29
31
1
1999 Jul 22-25
10
21
41
28
*
1990 Oct 11-14
2
19
33
46
*
Women
2019 Jul 1-12
20
31
20
18
*
2014 Jul 7-10
21
34
29
16
*
2012 Jul 9-12
19
36
28
16
*
2010 Jul 8-11
20
39
24
17
*
2005 Jul 7-10
20
37
28
15
--
1999 Jul 22-25
20
32
29
19
--
1990 Oct 11-14
13
33
32
22
*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup
Do you think it would be justified or unjustified to set higher health insurance rates for people who are significantly overweight?
Justified
Unjustified
No opinion
%
%
%
2017 Jul 5-9
37
62
2
2014 Jul 7-10
39
59
2
2013 Jul 10-14
41
56
3
2011 Jul 7-10
42
57
1
2008 Jul 10-13 ^
34
63
3
2005 Jul 7-10 ^
37
61
2
2003 Jul 7-9
43
55
2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Do you think companies should be allowed to refuse to hire people just because they are significantly overweight, or not?
Yes, should
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
2017 Jul 5-9
13
86
2
2014 Jul 7-10
12
85
2
2011 Jul 7-10
14
84
2
2008 Jul 10-13 ^
17
78
5
2005 Jul 7-10 ^
16
82
2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
How often do you feel discriminated against in public life or employment because of your weight -- [ROTATED: every day, every week, about once a month, a few times a year, less than once a year (or) never]?
Based on adults who say they are overweight
Every day
Every week
Once a month
Few times a year
Less than once a year
Never
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
2017 Jul 5-9
1
2
3
7
4
83
1
2003 Jul 7-9
2
2
4
5
4
82
1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
What are one or two of the most important reasons why you are trying to lose weight? [OPEN-ENDED]
Based on those who say they are seriously trying to lose weight
2014 Jul 7-10
%
To be healthier
49
For Medical/Health reasons (Diabetes, High blood pressure, etc.)
29
To look better/Improve physical appearance
23
To feel better
11
For family/loved ones
6
To be more fit/Improve athleticism
5
To improve energy level
4
To prolong [my] life
4
Other
2
No opinion
*
* Less than 0.5%; Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses.
Gallup
Thinking now about your family and closest friends, how many of them are overweight -- many, some, only a few or none?
Many
Some
Only a few
None
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2013 Jul 10-14
8
29
45
17
1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
How many different times, if any, have you seriously tried to lose weight in your life?
Once or twice
Three-ten times
More than 10 times
Never
No opinion
Mean
%
%
%
%
%
National adults
2011 Nov 3-6
25
30
8
33
4
5.3
2005 Jul 7-10
24
28
11
34
3
7.3
1999 Jul 22-25
25
25
8
40
2
4.6
1990 Oct 11-14
30
18
5
44
3
4.0
Men
2011 Nov 3-6
25
23
7
44
1
3.6
2005 Jul 7-10
23
24
7
45
2
5.0
1999 Jul 22-25
24
19
7
49
1
3.1
1990 Oct 11-14
28
10
1
59
2
1.4
Women
2011 Nov 3-6
26
37
10
22
6
7.0
2005 Jul 7-10
25
31
15
23
5
9.6
1999 Jul 22-25
26
30
10
31
3
6.0
1990 Oct 11-14
32
25
8
31
4
6.5
Gallup
Have you personally succeeded in losing a significant amount of weight at least once in your lifetime, or not?
Asked of those who have seriously attempted to lose weight in their lives
Yes, have
No, have not
No opinion
%
%
%
National adults
2011 Nov 3-6
83
17
*
Men
2011 Nov 3-6
81
19
*
Women
2011 Nov 3-6
83
16
*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup
Trying to be as specific as possible, what strategies or methods for losing weight were the most effective for you? [OPEN-ENDED]
Asked of those who have successfully lost weight in their lives
2011 Nov 3-6
%
NET: Changed diet
60
Ate less/Dieted (non-specific)
23
Counted calories/Portion control
12
Ate more natural foods
10
Avoided sugar, sweets, soda
6
Did Weight Watchers program
5
Did Atkins Diet/Low carb/High protein
4
Ate more fruits, vegetables/salads
3
Ate low fat diet
2
NET: Exercised
36
Worked out/Exercised (non-specific)
31
Walked
5
Ran/Jogged
3
Diet and exercise (non-specific)
8
Took diet pills/drugs
4
Pregnancy/birth-related weight loss
2
Attitude/Discipline
1
Had gastric bypass surgery
1
Other
8
No opinion
*
* Less than 0.5%; Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses.
Gallup
Thinking about your attempts to lose weight, do you think your close friends or family members generally do more to help you or more to hinder you?
Asked of those who have attempted to lost weight in their lives
More to help
More to hinder
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Nov 30-Dec 2
68
24
8
Gallup
If you were trying to lose weight, would you want someone to partner with you on your weight loss program, or not?
Yes
No
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Nov 30-Dec 2
57
42
2
Gallup
In general, how harmful do you feel obesity is to adults who are significantly overweight -- very harmful, somewhat harmful, not too harmful or not at all harmful?
Very harmful
Somewhat harmful
Not too harmful
Not at all harmful
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Jul 12-15
83
15
*
*
1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup
Which of the following statements better describes your view toward people who are obese -- [ROTATED: you are unsympathetic toward people who are obese because they do not lose weight even though they know being overweight is harmful to their health, (or) you are sympathetic toward people who are obese because you understand that it is difficult for them to lose weight even if they want to]?
Unsympathetic
Sympathetic
Both/Mixed (vol.)
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2007 Jul 12-15
21
74
4
1
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup
Would you like to [ROTATED: lose weight, stay at your present weight or put on weight]? Would you like to lose a lot of weight, or only a little weight?
Combined responses
Lose a lot
Lose a little
Stay at present
Put on weight
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2006 Feb 9-12
18
38
39
4
1
Gallup
If you had to choose, would you be more likely to try to lose weight -- [ROTATED: by dieting, (or more likely to try to lose weight) by exercising]?
Based on adults who would like to lose weight
Dieting
Exercising
No opinion
%
%
%
2006 Feb 9-12
36
61
3
Gallup
As you may know, some people have had surgery to reduce the size of their stomach as a means of losing weight. Which of the following best describes you -- [ROTATED: you would definitely like to have this surgery, you might be interested in having it but don't know for sure, you would only consider having it as a last resort (or) you would never have this surgery]?
Based on adults who would like to lose weight
Definitely like to have
Might be interested
Only as a last resort
Never have
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2006 Feb 9-12
2
1
20
75
2
Gallup
Which comes closer to your view about obesity -- [ROTATED: obesity is a disease, (or) obesity is more a problem of bad eating and bad lifestyle habits]?
Although people worldwide were less satisfied with aspects of their eating experiences in 2023 than in 2022, most continued to enjoy their food and say it was healthy.
Over four in 10 U.S. adults, especially women, see themselves as overweight. Over half want to lose weight, but only about a quarter are seriously trying.
