Survey: Americans continue to adjust their ideal weight upward

Men’s average ideal weight is up 14 pounds since Gallup first measured it in 1990 and their average actual weight is up 16 pounds. Women’s average ideal weight is up 11 pounds since 1990, and their average actual weight is up 14 pounds. These trends suggest that as Americans have grown heavier overall, their concept of what their ideal weight is has been adjusted upward as well.

These results are based on Gallup’s annual Health and Healthcare survey, conducted Nov. 15-18. Gallup has asked Americans how much they weigh yearly since 2001, as well as in 1990 and 1999.

In total, 59% of men and 69% of women are currently over their ideal weight by one or more pounds. About one in six adults, regardless of gender, are actually at their ideal weight. Significantly more men than women are under their ideal weight by one or more pounds — 20% vs. 7%.