Clueless in Calorie-Land

Here’s proof why all fitness professionals should focus on EDUCATION as part of any personal training program, gym membership or weight-management offering.  

"Only one of every eight adult Americans knows
how many calories he should consume in a day." 

That’s according to a survey conducted by the Washington-based International Food Information Council Foundation.  The survey of 1,024 consumers over the age of 18, was conducted from April 30 to May 17 by Cogent Research of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

And frankly, I don’t believe it. 

The numbers are probably more like 99.9% of Americans have no idea how many calories they actually consume.... much less their optimal caloric intake.  And, then... how many Americans have any idea whatsoever of their ratios of protein, carbs and fat?

Here’s what else they found.  Respondents were also asked about their weights and perceptions of obesity as well as their fitness activity.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) said they considered themselves overweight, with 8 percent saying they were obese. In reality 33 percent were overweight and 34 percent obese, according to the data.

Meanwhile, 77 percent were not meeting the Health and Human Services Department’s physical-activity guidelines (and they are pretty lame), based on how much and what type of exercise they do.

According to this report, the average 35-year-old American male stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds, while his female counterpart is 5 feet, 4 inches and weighs 164 pounds.

Hello?  Wake up!