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Americans Believe Nutrition and Exercise Are More Important Than Ever, According to ADA Survey

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 3, 2000

Contact: Tom Ryan, Lori Ferme or Bridget McManamon
800/877-1600, ext. 4894, 4802 or 4769
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AMERICANS BELIEVE NUTRITION AND EXERCISE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER, ACCORDING TO ADA SURVEY

CHICAGO — The importance of diet and nutrition in Americans' everyday lives continues to grow, and overwhelming majorities of people say physical activity is as vital to their health as diet, according to the American Dietetic Association's new national public opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2000.

According to the survey, nearly nine out of 10 people — 85 percent — say diet and nutrition are important to them personally. Nearly six out of 10 — 59 percent — rank diet and nutrition as either "very important" or "somewhat important." That is the highest percentage giving that answer since ADA began conducting its survey in 1991, and an increase of 10 percent since the first survey.

ADA's survey also found 84 percent of Americans rank exercise and physical activity as important to them. And 79 percent agree with the statement: "Physical activity is as important to overall health as a nutritious diet." That is a significant increase from 1997's survey, when 62 percent agreed with the statement.

"The results of this landmark survey reflect the information people are seeking and hearing more and more about," says Denver registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Jackie Berning.

"Every day, we read news stories or watch television reports on the benefits of making wise food choices and getting regular exercise. These reports help make us all aware of the importance of those two health factors and motivate us to incorporate both into our daily lives."

ADA's survey found 40 percent of Americans are either "very careful" or "somewhat careful" to try to achieve balanced nutrition and a healthful diet — up notably from 34 percent in 1997.

"One of the earliest indications that people may be serious about changing their food habits is being more careful about what they eat, or becoming more aware of what they are eating," Berning says. "And this strongly indicates consumers are actively contemplating making healthier food choices, which will ultimately have a great impact on their overall health."

The Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 survey also found:

43 percent of adults make a conscious effort to get regular exercise and physical activity — a percentage that is consistent with survey results since 1995
38 percent believe it is important to monitor total calories from all foods in one's diet
41 percent consider body weight to be an indicator of a healthy diet

"The data very clearly shows that individuals are realizing that they cannot maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet alone, or exercise alone," Berning says.

"Instead, people are seeing that they need a combination of both exercise and wise food choices to allow their bodies to achieve and maintain a higher level of health and wellness."

The 70,000-member American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Chicago-based ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. For the most timely, complete food and nutrition information, visit ADA's Web site.

Editor's note: For more information about ADA's Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 survey, for a copy of the full results or to interview an ADA spokesperson, contact ADA's Public Relations Team at 800/877-1600, ext. 4802, 4894 or 4769.

Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 792 adults conducted in October 1999 by Wirthlin Worldwide. The survey has a confidence interval of plus-or-minus 3.5 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.