Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Forget about the Thanksgiving feast. Potbellied and big-butted Americans stuff themselves silly all year round, a survey has found.
American men are weighing in at an average of 196 pounds — 16 pounds more than in 1990, a Gallup Poll has found. The average weight for women jumped 14 pounds to 156 pounds over the same period.
The truth is, fat is in and thin is, well, mostly fantasy.
When it comes to naming their ideal weight, men and women have lowered their standards considerably.
Men now put their ideal weight at an average of 185 pounds, the highest ever and up 14 pounds since 1990.
Women say their ideal weight is 140 pounds — up from 129 pounds in 1990.
“These trends suggest that as Americans have grown heavier overall, their concept of what their ideal weight is has been adjusted upward as well,” Gallup said.
Overall, 59 percent of men and 69 percent of women are over their ideal weight.
Only one in six Americans are at their ideal weight. One in five men say they are under their ideal weight, while just 7 percent of women say they are. Six in 10 Americans say their actual weight is about right.
A majority of respondents, 54 percent, said they would like to lose weight. Yet far fewer — only one in four — are seriously trying.
Based on these figures, Gallup estimates 62 percent of Americans are either overweight (36 percent) or obese (26 percent).
“Americans’ ideal weight today is the highest on record. And more adults — 60 percent — say their weight is about right, despite the number of Americans who are overweight or obese remaining near an all-time high,” Gallup said.
“Underscoring Americans’ weight denial is the relatively low 25 percent who say they are seriously trying to lose weight — much lower than the percentage who are above their ideal weight or say they would like to lose weight.”
Based on current trends, it’s likely the next generation will waddle in at even higher weights barring a cultural shift that includes better nutrition and more exercise.
Mayor Bloomberg has led the charge against obesity by banning giant sugary drinks and trans-fats and requiring calorie counts in chain restaurants.