Fitness

Do You Know Your Fat IQ?

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Fad diets and food myths have plagued society for years, but doctors have found that the majority of Americans don’t actually know anything about dieting and weight loss.

A new study showed that 56% of Americans failed a “Fat IQ” test conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for the MDVIP, a network of physicians who “leads the market in membership-based healthcare,” according to Nancy Udell, a media relations specialist for MDVIP.

“While 85 percent of Americans say they know how to eat right, more than half flunked a basic quiz on dietary facts and weight loss,” Udell said.

The MDVIP said that the Fat IQ Test was created to measure American knowledge of weight loss and obesity, but the results indicated the majority of people lack a true understanding of weight management. Udell explained how the results allowed for the MDVIP to research more of these lifestyles and motivations and to offer a chance for successful weight loss.

Dr. Andrea Klemes is the chief medical officer for MDVIP and she said that she believes the majority of people are ill-informed about their weight and how to lose it. “It’s easy for people to become overwhelmed by the constant flood of information, which can be confusing,” Klemes said. “For instance, many people still believe that strength training makes it harder to lose weight, when actually having more muscle helps you burn more calories. As their report card shows, Americans need help separating the facts from fiction.”

The majority of those surveyed weighed more than their ideal weight, and when a doctor informed them of their situation, the motivation to achieve their ideal weight increased. Klemes said a major issue is waiting to speak up about weight loss until it becomes a serious medical issue.

 

 

“The survey data suggests that Americans aren’t tapping into the one resource that could have the most influence on their weight – their physician. Time constraints in the exam room are a serious limitation, plus the misconception that obesity is a personal choice prevents people from establishing an open dialogue with their doctor” Klemes said.

 

I love to write, read poetry, and listen to political podcasts. I enjoy time with my dogs, traveling and practicing my languages. Spreading the truth and sharing the news are my two goals as I enter this career path of communications.

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