Jeffrey Salazar
Dieting is a common practice, with approximately 45 million Americans dieting every year. The start of a new year is a popular time for people to make resolutions to improve their health, with 40-45% of Americans resolving to make lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercising more. However, the exact number of people starting diets each day is difficult to determine due to various factors, including the range of diets available and the lack of long-term adherence to specific diets. While there is an increase in diet searches in January, followed by a decline towards the summer months, the seasonality of diet trends makes it challenging to pinpoint a daily figure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Americans who resolve to make changes to their lifestyle at the start of each year | 40-45% |
| Percentage of U.S. adults on a special diet on a given day in 2015-2018 | 17.1% |
| Percentage of U.S. men on a diet on a given day | 25% |
| Percentage of U.S. women on a diet on a given day | 45% |
| Most common types of special diets reported by adults aged 20 and over | Weight loss or low-calorie diets (9.3%), diabetic diets (2.3%), low-carbohydrate diets (2.0%), and low-fat or low-cholesterol diets (1.8%) |
| Percentage of U.S. adults on a special diet on a given day by race and Hispanic origin | Non-Hispanic White (17.8%), Non-Hispanic Black (14.7%), Non-Hispanic Asian (14.9%), and Hispanic (16.4%) |
| Percentage of U.S. adults on a special diet on a given day by weight status | Normal or underweight (8.3%), overweight (17.1%), and obese (23.1%) |
| Percentage of U.S. adults on a special diet on a given day by educational attainment | Less than high school education (14.1%), high school education or some college (17.0%), college graduates (17.7%), and more than college graduates (18.4%) |
| Most popular days to start a diet | New Year, Monday, birthdays, and anniversaries |
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What You'll Learn
The most popular days to start a diet
While it is challenging to determine the exact number of people who start a diet each day, several sources suggest that the most popular time to start a diet is around the New Year. This is when 40-45% of Americans resolve to make changes to their lifestyle, including health behaviours such as dieting. In 2022, 40% of New Year's resolutions in the US were based on weight loss.
Wharton researchers have also identified other popular days to start a diet, a new workout programme, or even to switch your financial plans. They analysed Google analytics, gym attendance, and a website where people made contracts with themselves to change a behaviour. Their findings suggest that:
- Mondays are popular for a fresh start.
- Gym attendance is higher at the beginning of the month.
- People are more likely to make changes at the beginning of each season. For example, students are more likely to work out at the start of a new semester.
- Many people also make resolutions on their birthday or anniversary. The researchers found that the day after a birthday, many people hit the gym (except after a 21st birthday).
Furthermore, patients modify their habits on various holidays, including Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Lent, and Yom Kippur, or any other holiday that holds personal significance.
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Diet seasonality
One of the most popular times to start a diet is the beginning of the year, particularly after the holiday season. In the United States, 40-45% of Americans make New Year's resolutions related to health, including dieting. This is often due to the perception of a new beginning associated with the New Year, as well as increased social support and information availability during this time. However, the popularity of dieting tends to decline as the year progresses, especially during the holiday season towards the end of the year.
Other times of the year when people are more likely to start a diet include the beginning of a new season, such as spring or fall. For example, the prospect of swimsuit season approaching in the spring may motivate people to adopt healthier habits. Similarly, the start of a new school year or semester can prompt students to focus on their health and fitness.
Mondays are also popular for starting diets or workout routines, as people often view the beginning of the week as a "fresh start." Additionally, birthdays and anniversaries can serve as personal landmarks for individuals to make resolutions and embrace healthier lifestyles.
While dieting can be a way to improve health and well-being, it is important to approach it cautiously. Diet culture, which emphasizes thinness and appearance, can negatively impact individuals' relationships with food and their bodies. Instead of following restrictive diets, intuitive eating, which focuses on listening to one's body and honouring hunger, can be a healthier alternative.
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Demographics of people on special diets
While it is difficult to determine how many people start a diet each day, surveys show that dieting is common. For example, the percentage of U.S. adults aged 20 and over who followed a special diet on a given day was 17.1% in 2015–2018, up from 14% in 2017. This figure was higher among women (19%) than men (15.1%), and among non-Hispanic white adults (17.8%) than non-Hispanic black (14.7%) and non-Hispanic Asian (14.9%) adults. The percentage of younger adults aged 20–39 on a special diet was lower (13.3%) compared to those aged 40–59 (19.2%) and over 60s (19.3%).
The most common types of special diets reported by adults aged 20 and over were weight loss or low-calorie diets (9.3% of adults), diabetic diets (2.3%), low-carbohydrate diets (2%), and low-fat or low-cholesterol diets (1.8%). The percentage of adults on a special diet increased with increasing weight status (8.3% for normal or underweight, 17.1% for overweight, and 23.1% for obesity) and increasing educational level (14.1% for less than high school education, 17% for high school education or some college, and 18.6% for college graduates).
The number of people on specific diets to lose weight or be healthier is on the rise, with nearly 16% cutting carbs. Almost half of Millennials were likely to follow a specific diet (45%), compared to only 28% of people aged 65 and older. The most popular diets include intermittent fasting, Paleo, gluten-free, low-carb, Mediterranean, Whole 30, high-protein, vegetarian/vegan, weight-loss plans, cleanses, DASH, and ketogenic/high-fat.
The New Year is a key time when 40–45% of Americans resolve to make lifestyle changes, including dieting. However, among the tens of millions of Americans who resolve to lose weight each year, less than half succeed.
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Diet culture
The prevalence of diet culture can be seen in the high number of people who engage in dieting each year. In the United States, approximately 45 million people diet annually, with 40-45% of Americans making New Year's resolutions related to health and weight loss. However, the success rate is low, with less than half of those resolvers achieving their goals. The seasonal trends in dieting are notable, with a sharp increase in diet searches and initiatives in January, followed by a decline during the summer and winter holiday seasons.
The impact of diet culture goes beyond the individual. It influences social expectations and how we perceive and treat ourselves and others. Diet culture promotes the idea that thinness is a marker of health, success, and beauty. This can lead to body image issues, disordered eating, and the development of eating disorders, which are among the deadliest mental illnesses. Dieting can become a high-stakes, dramatic affair, causing preoccupation with food and negative physical and mental health consequences.
To counter diet culture, it is important to focus on intuitive eating and honor your body's hunger and satiety cues. This involves trusting your body's innate wisdom about what, when, and how much to eat. Seeking support from anti-diet dietitians or therapists can help repair your relationship with food and your body. By rejecting diet culture, individuals can free themselves from self-hatred and gain more time, energy, and mental space to invest in joyful and satisfying pursuits.
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Diet success rates
Dieting is a common practice, with approximately 45 million Americans going on a diet each year. According to a 2017 study, about 42% of adults worldwide are trying to lose weight, while 23% are trying to maintain their weight. However, the success rates of diets are often questioned, with various statistics indicating high failure rates.
The University of Pennsylvania's Weight and Eating Disorders Program found that 65% of dieters return to their pre-diet weight within three years. This is supported by another study that revealed that after five years, half of the dieters carried an extra 11 pounds. Furthermore, extreme diets that promote quick weight loss often lead to short-term success followed by weight rebound, with 95% of such diets ultimately failing. As a result, only 5% of people who lose weight on restrictive diets are able to maintain their weight loss.
The reasons for these failures include unrealistic expectations, the challenges of sustaining weight loss over time, and the lack of personalisation in many diets. Additionally, certain diets that promote extreme food restrictions or very low-calorie intakes can lead to unhealthy extremes, with 20-25% of individuals developing eating disorders.
Despite the high failure rates, some diets do offer success. For example, bariatric surgery has been shown to be a popular and successful method for obese patients to achieve significant weight loss. Additionally, some individuals may find success in specific eating plans that cater to their health or appearance goals.
Overall, while dieting is a common practice, the success rates vary widely. The challenges of sustaining weight loss, the potential for developing unhealthy relationships with food, and the lack of personalisation in many diets contribute to high failure rates. However, certain diets or weight-loss methods, such as bariatric surgery, can offer success for some individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no exact number for this, but according to a 2015-2018 survey, 17.1% of U.S. adults were on a special diet on a given day.
Yes, the beginning of the year, particularly January, is a popular time to start a diet. This is because it is seen as a fresh start and a time to make resolutions.
Yes, people are also likely to start a diet at the beginning of a month or season. For example, many people start working out at the beginning of spring to prepare for the summer.
Yes, Mondays are often seen as a fresh start, so people may be more likely to start a diet on this day. However, some people prefer to start a diet the day after their birthday as a way to signify a new beginning.
Yes, people may be more likely to start a diet during a holiday that holds a special meaning for them, such as Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, or Yom Kippur. Additionally, people may be influenced by the amount of social support and information available, which is typically higher during the New Year.
