Study: Half the World is Overweight

Alright, some might say I’m on the heavier side, but what do they do? Half the world is with me, according to a report from Nielsen’s Global Online Consumer Survey. Nielsen, which surveyed people from 52 countries, found that half of the people questioned said –or at least thought — they were overweight.

And do they like being fat? No! So obviously, they’re doing something about it. The study found that people in different areas of the world had different approaches to managing their weight.

Changing their diet was the plan of choice for 78% of those surveyed. (Only 20% thought their current diet was healthy.) Cutting down on saturated fats, sugars, alcohol and salt will definitely improve your health and help you to shed those extra pounds, while eating more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains will keep you full for longer periods of time.

About two-thirds vowed to exercise more, stating they’d work out at least once a week or more. Those in the medical profession tell us that cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking, running, swimming or cycling burns calories, and weight-training builds muscle and helps tone the body. Besides, the US government recommends at least five 30-minute sessions of exercise per week.

Yet others have their eyes set on diet pills and bars — with emerging markets leaning more towards them than the US or European markets. Although some meal replacement products such as shakes and non-prescription pills such as Stimerex ES have reasonably good records to back them, it’s always a good habit to consult your physician before taking them.