Gallup: Americans deal with obesity by moving the goalposts

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/11/23/ideal-weight-ballooning-with-american-waistlines/

‘Ideal Weight’ Ballooning With American Waistlines

As Americans pack on the pounds, so does their idea of the perfect weight, a new Gallup poll found.

The average adult weighs 176 pounds, according to the poll, up 15 pounds since Gallup started tracking weight in 1990. The average ideal weight is 162 pounds, up 13 pounds from 12 years ago.

“Americans appear to be slowly shifting to higher weights, adjusting their expectations of what is ideal over time, mirroring the increase in actual weight,” the Gallup report said. “Americans’ ideal weight today is the highest on record. And more adults than ever – 60 percent – say their weight is about right, despite the number of Americans who are overweight or obese remaining near an all-time high.”