Growing numbers of Americans say they’re trying to choose foods that maximize nutrition and health, the American Dietetic Association found in its new national public opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2000.
Released in January, the survey found that 40 percent of Americans claim they’re either "very careful" or "somewhat careful" in selecting foods to achieve balanced nutrition and a healthy diet. That finding amounts to a 6 percent increase since the dietetic group’s 1997 survey and the highest finding since the group’s first survey in 1991.
"It’s great to see the trend heading upward, but there is definitely still room for improvement in Americans’ eating habits," said Diane Quagliani, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the dietetic association.
Other findings from the survey:
- – 85 percent say diet and nutrition are important to them personally;
- – 41 percent of Americans say they’re doing "all they can" to achieve balanced nutrition and health, up from 39 percent in 1997 and 35 percent in 1995;
- – asked if they were doing more, the same or less than they were two years ago to achieve balanced nutrition and a healthy diet, 47 percent said more, 43 percent said the same, and 9 percent said less;
- – 44 percent of those who say they haven’t changed their eating habits cite not wanting to give up their favorite foods as the main reason; other reasons for not changing include "too much time" involved in keeping track of diet, a lack of knowledge or understanding of good nutrition, satisfaction with current eating habits.
