Section C
Ninety percent of Americans know that most of their
compatriots are overweight, but just 40percent believe themselves to be too fat.
Government (36) show that more than 60 per cent of the U.S.
population is overweight, and half is obese, meaning they are at serious
(37) of health effects from their weight. But the Pew Research
Center telephone survey of more than 2,000 adults finds that many people
(38) how tall they are and underestimate how much they
weigh—and thus do not rate themselves as overweight, even when they are. The
survey finds that most Americans, including those who say they are overweight,
agree that personal behavior—rather than (39) disposition
or marketing by food companies—is the main reason people are overweight. In
(40) , the public says that a failure to get enough exercise is
the most important reason, followed by a (41) of willpower
about what to eat. About half the public also says that the kinds of foods
marketed at restaurants and (42) stores are a very
important cause, and (43) a third says the same about the
effect of genetics and heredity. And at least some people appear to have given
up on dieting to control their weight. (44) , and 52 percent
say they have dieted at some point in their lives. In a poll taken 15 years
ago, (45) .Those surveyed agree that maintaining a healthy
weight is important. (46) .