Study: Half of All Danes Have Attempted to Lose Weight

About half of all Danes have attempted to lose weight, with the number even higher among women and people under age 50, according to researchers in Denmark.

Researchers conducted a study to see how frequent weight-loss attempts were made, the methods used to achieve weight loss and the extent to which weight loss was achieved.

Two independent interviews were conducted in 1992 and 1998, each with 1,200 randomly selected adults. Each survey was designed to have an equal mix of age, gender and geographical regions in Denmark.

The percentage of adults attempting to lose weight did not change from 1992 to 1998, even though the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased during that time period, according to the report in Obesity Research.

Almost twice as many women as men had attempted weight loss. Weight loss was achieved more often in those under age 50 than those older, although overweight and obesity were more frequent in the elderly.

Over-the-counter diet pills or meal replacements were linked with a negative result in achieving weight loss.

"Changes in habitual diet and increased physical activity are the most prevalent modes of slimming, whereas the use of over-the-counter diet pills or meal replacements has decreased from 1992 to 1998. This development may have a positive impact on future body-weight-management strategies," they concluded.

Other sources: Obesity Research