SKOKIE, Ill., Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Is it possible that Americans, who live in a country with the highest obesity rates in the developed world have expectations as outsized as our waistlines? Do our misperceptions about weight loss and health contribute to the obesity problem? Have shows like "The Biggest Loser" discouraged people from adopting healthier approaches for losing weight?

These are some of the questions raised by these findings from a national survey commissioned by RETROFIT, the company dedicated to long-term weight loss:

• More than one in three respondents believes overweight Americans need to lose at least 30% of their weight to improve their health.
• More than 70% think that overweight Americans need to lose at least 20% of their weight.
• Only one in five put this figure at 10%, which medical experts have identified as a target goal for successful weight loss maintenance.

"The most concerning implication from this survey is that people believe that they need to lose an exorbitant amount of weight in order to achieve health benefits. This leads to frustration and disappointment when they don't reach these unrealistic goals. And it can also stop some people from attempting weight loss altogether," said Dr. Robert Kushner.

"Helping people understand that 10% weight loss can have meaningful impact on your health is a critical first step towards setting a realistic goal." 

Dr. Kushner also notes many studies indicate that even small weight losses have a disproportionately positive effect on improving people's health and significantly reduce their risks for a wide range of illnesses.

"Our mission is to help people lose at least 10% of their body weight and keep it off for one year and beyond," he says. "We hope that this survey will help dispel the general public's misinformed ideas about appropriate weight loss goals and encourage a healthier focus on long-term weight loss."

RETROFIT provides a new high-tech, high-touch, and data-driven approach to weight loss designed to deliver lasting results. Its innovative year-long program includes wireless monitoring of a client's weight, activity and sleep quality. Each client also receives ongoing, individualized counsel from a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach.

The survey was conducted by CARAVAN and included a national probability sample of more than 1,000 adults living in private households. It was completed during the period November 10-13, 2011. 

About RETROFIT

RETROFIT was founded with the simple mission to help people lose at least 10% of their body weight and keep it off. RETROFIT arms its clients with wireless data collection devices to ensure accountability, as well as a personal team of wellness experts to design a tailor-made plan for weight management. RETROFIT can be found on the Web at www.retrofitme.com and 855-4-RETROFIT.

For more information:

Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

SOURCE RETROFIT