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By Alan Mozes
NEW YORK, Mar 26 (Reuters Health) - Almost all American adults believe that being healthy and looking good are important, according to the results of a new survey. Yet many don't do anything to attain these goals. One out of four Americans admit they either do not maintain a regular fitness routine, or hate exercising if they do.
"It's an interesting disconnect between attitudes and behavior," said Bill Howland, director of research at The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, which commissioned the poll.
Roper Starch Worldwide conducted the "Fitness American Style" survey, an eight-page questionnaire on opinions about exercise and physical and mental health.
The survey of 1,200 US adults found that 97% said "maintaining good physical health" is their most important priority, closely followed by "keeping up physical appearance" at 91%. Both ranked slightly higher than reducing stress or having a lot of money and a good job.
Paradoxically, those polled also said that eating well, exercising enough and becoming more fit were less important objectives--leaving open the question as to how these people might actually achieve their top goals.
One out of five Americans--primarily young, single men--report that they do exercise for the fun and camaraderie of it, but feel they don't have enough time to do as much as they would like. Under 10% of mostly older, higher income, college-educated women report that they exercise to stay in shape, to help with a medical condition, or to ward off illness.
About half of all Americans appear to be divided between extreme habits. On one end of the spectrum are the 13%--mostly high-income moms--who are twice as likely as the average adult to be a member of a fitness club and exercise for their emotional and physical well-being. On the other end are the married average-income moms who are out of shape because they either hate exercising (14%) or are undisciplined (12%)--joined by equally out of shape married men who pride themselves on not falling for the "fitness craze" (13%).
Despite the pull of the couch-potato constituency, most Americans say they do believe fitness clubs are fun and worth the money. Less than half see the clubs as settings for only young, already-in-shape swinging singles. And whatever the motivation for joining, those who are members of a gym generally spoke of feeling more in control of their lives, more outgoing and more competitive than did non-members.
"Regular participants in fitness activities say that exercise has both great physical and emotional benefits and positively affects their overall mental energy, stress levels and physical energy," Howland told Reuters Health. "In fact, club members clearly see the benefit of a more holistic approach to maintaining their health."
Howland added that with obesity on the rise, it is important to encourage all Americans to get off the couch and into a gym. He suggested that the survey may allay fears and inspire those still resisting the call of the treadmill by dispelling stereotypes that the local gym is the exclusive preserve of beautiful people and unattainable goals. "Buff, hard bodies, attention-grabbing outfits, women with caked-on makeup and rippling torsos are no longer the picture of fitness clubs today."
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