A majority of Americans would rather take a financial loss than gain additional weight, according to a recent national study, and many Gainesville residents agree.
A study released by the International Food Information Council Foundation announced Thursday that, of the 1,000 people surveyed, more than half would rather lose $1,000 than gain 20 pounds. The survey also found taste is the primary factor that influences people’s selection of food and beverages, which contributes to weight gain.
Nick Farley, a 23-year-old personal trainer with UF RecSports, said that Americans are more likely to choose staying slimmer over money because people are becoming aware of the long-term threats of obesity.
“People are starting to see that, in the long run, gaining the 20 pounds is not worth it because it will take them longer to lose the weight,” Farley said.
He said he tries to emphasize overall progress rather than numbers when coaching clients.
“I teach my clients not to focus on the superficial things like a scale and realize that losing weight is a long-term commitment that is required every day,” he said.
Sarah Schmidt, a dietetic intern for the UF Student Health Care Center, said perhaps Americans expressed preferences toward not gaining weight because they feel held to a body image standard.
But healthy is different for every body type and age, she said.
“There is a connection between healthy eating and body appreciation,” Schmidt said. “Being healthy is a long-term lifestyle change that doesn’t include depriving yourself of the things you need.”
