As the warm season approaches, millions of Americans find themselves gripped by the pressure to pursue the elusive “summer body.” But is the obsession doing more harm than good? According to new research, the pursuit is not only unhealthy but may also be promoting harmful dieting trends to the masses.
But it is not something people are unaware of. A recent survey of 2,000 Americans commissioned by Herbalife and conducted by OnePoll found that 72% of the respondents believe that the concept of a “summer body” encourages people to diet in unhealthy ways.
Despite people recognizing the obsession as unhealthy, it is not enough to stop many of them from attempting to lose weight ahead of the summer. In fact, most of those who agreed with the unhealthy dieting perspective still engage in it.
The Diet Dilemma
The responses reveal a problem, with people knowing the pursuit of a “summer body” might lead them down an unhealthy path but choosing to do so anyway. They are willing to take the risk. However, how far will they go?
The survey showed a whopping 77% of respondents confessed that they were willing to go to “extreme lengths” to shed weight, even if it meant jumping on the fad diet bandwagon. That percentage is despite 57% of all respondents admitting concerns about the safety of these trendy weight loss methods. Too good to be true? People are going to try anyway.
It leads one to wonder why people are willing to take it so far. The survey also gave some insight into the seeming contradiction. The top obstacle identified by respondents was a lack of self-control, cited by 52%, followed closely by the perception that healthy eating is expensive (51%). A significant number of respondents also noted that they did not enjoy the taste of healthy foods (39%).
The Generational Gap in Wellness Priorities
When you dive a bit deeper, there are apparent generation gaps in how people prioritize health and wellness. The millennials in the survey were more fired up about feeling healthier (53%) and getting fitter (54%) compared to the Gen Xers and baby boomers. But there’s a curveball: only 55% of these energetic millennials felt they had a good handle on how to be healthy. That’s much lower than the 63% of Gen Xers and 75% of the baby boomers who felt they knew the drill.
The Herbalife Solution
There are plenty of people and companies looking to help people live a healthier life. One is Herbalife, which has been in the game for over 40 years. Their mission? To tackle these unhealthy dieting trends head-on.
According to Dr. Kent Bradley, their Chief Health and Nutrition Officer, “A comprehensive and sustainable approach to weight loss includes awareness and education around healthy eating and exercise, and most importantly behavior change.”
Herbalife does its part by providing an arsenal of tasty, high-quality, science-backed nutrition products. There is everything from meal replacements and protein shakes to vitamins, supplements, and even skincare products. And for those looking for plant-based options, they recently launched a new product line that has you covered.
Changing Behaviors for Better Health
But having good products and understanding how to be healthy is not enough. Behavior also plays a role. Despite the challenges associated with healthy eating, 79% of survey respondents believed that changing their behavior is the best way to make a lasting impact on their health.
In a world where quick fixes and fad diets are all the rage, the words of Dr. Bradley shed some light on how to succeed, “Adhering to a nutrition or fitness plan is often a challenge, which is why setting small goals and enlisting the help of a coach and a supportive community can help motivate a person towards the healthy behavior changes needed for long-term results.”
It’s time to reevaluate the pursuit of the “summer body” and instead focus on healthy, sustainable lifestyles that empower you all year round.
