U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Jan. 20: Fad Diets

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature for Jan. 20 from the U.S. Census Bureau:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20: FAD DIETS

Profile America -- Tuesday, Jan. 20th. A lot of attention is being focused on dieting this month, probably as a result of all the tempting goodies that surrounded us during the holidays. The thrust of many of these observances is to promote a healthy lifestyle. But today's is a little different it's "rid the world of fad diets and gimmicks day," concentrating on the down side of the desire to lose weight -- diet products that defraud, disable and even kill. The annual "Slim Chance" awards will be given for the worst weight loss products of the year. Just over half the people in the U.S. are at least 25 percent over their ideal weight. More ominously, about 1-in-5 are considered clinically obese. More men are overweight than women by a large margin -- 65 percent to 48. Find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web at http://www.census.gov.