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For: Release week of March 15, 2004

To: Rotating News Article

By: Linda K. Bowman, Ext. Agt. IV - Family & Consumer Sciences

UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension

Telephone: 850/623-3868 or 934-5278

SURVEY FINDS CONSUMERS KNOW IMPORTANCE OF DIET AND ACTIVITY, BUT MISCONCEPTIONS PERSIST

As we celebrate national nutrition month, an overwhelming majority of Americans say diet and physical activity are personally important to them, and increasing numbers of consumers say they believe they are doing all they can to achieve a healthful diet, according to the American Dietetic Association’s nationwide public opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2002.

The findings of ADA’s 2002 survey indicate that consumer trends that were spotted in the late 1990s are continuing into the 21st century and appear likely to remain stable for the foreseeable future. Healthful eating and physical activity are both necessary for optimal health, and we all need to incorporate both into our daily lives. This is a message that has clearly gotten through over the past several years.

Among the results of ADA’s survey:

• Eighty-five (85) percent of American consumers say diet and nutrition are important to them personally, the same percentage as in ADA’s last survey in 2000.

• Seventy-five (75) percent say they carefully select foods in order to achieve balanced nutrition and a healthful diet.

• Eighty-two (82) percent say exercise and physical activity are important to them personally, virtually identical to the percentage in 2000.

• Sixty-six (66) percent of consumers say they make a conscious effort to engage in exercise and physical activity.

• Fifty-eight (58) percent say they actively seek information about nutrition and healthful eating.

People are hungry for information on food and nutrition and they clearly understand that nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand for a healthy lifestyle.

On the other hand, some nutrition myths die hard. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents to the survey (63 percent) said they consider body weight to be an indicator of a healthful diet. In reality, no two people have the same body composition. The measure of a person’s diet, as well as overall health, is a combination of factors, including weight.

The survey found many people continue to hold onto misconceptions about food and nutrition:

• Fifty-seven (57) percent agreed with the statement, “Based on the information I’ve heard, I believe there are some foods that I should never eat. “

• Fifty-four (54) percent agreed that taking vitamin supplements is necessary to ensure good health.

• Thirty-three (33) percent agreed that herbal dietary supplements are safe because they are natural.

In addition, a growing number of consumers, 63 percent, agreed with the statement, “It seems like I am always hearing information about what not to eat rather than what I should eat.” In 2000, 37 percent said the news only tells me what I should not eat..

For more information or if you have a question, call Linda Bowman, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, The University of FloridaIFAS-Santa Rosa County Extension, at 850-623-3868 or 850-934-5278, for south county residents, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm weekdays. Hearing-impaired individuals may call Santa Rosa County Emergency Management Service at 983-5373 (TDD).

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin. The use of trade names in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others.