Many Dieting Britons

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31318, 14 March 1967, Page 2

Many Dieting Britons

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Mar. 13. One-quarter of Britain’s adult population has tried to reduce weight in the last year, according to a survey published today.

The study of a representative sample of 2000 people by Mass Observations, Ltd., also showed that nearly half those who tried to cut down their weight had failed.

One person in eight is trying now, the report says. The most likely person to try to slim is a woman, over 35, of the top social class, living in London or the southwest Nine of 10 people who try to slim change their food habits, says the study. They cut out starchy food and sugar and eat more fruit and “starch-reduced” foods. One in eight takes pills to reduce appetite. Thirty per cent of men also try to slim by doing more exercise, compared with 11 per cent of women.

The most frequent source of advice on how to slim was the family doctor. But many people also gained advice from friends and relatives, and articles in newspapers and magazines. “Nearly half those who try to reduce weight admit that it all ends in failure,” says the report. “Many feel they just give up trying too soon or do not take the matter seriously enough. "Perhaps a third of the men are on the right lines when they say they ‘just didn’t have enough will power.”’