Looks like sex has become the latest casualty in the battle of the bulge.
Nearly 50 percent of American women and a quarter of men think being skinny is better than having sex — saying they would give up doing the deed this summer in exchange for not gaining 10 pounds, according to a new survey.
The survey, conducted by Nutrisystem, revealed that people would give up an array of pleasures — including sex — in order not to pack on the pounds.
For example, the survey found that despite the economic recession, many Americans would pass up a promotion at work for the chance to drop 10 to 20 pounds.
Many would also give up sex and get rid of their cell phones and TV sets in order to have a flat tummy.
“The fact of the matter is, America is obsessed with dieting and weight loss, but the majority of Americans aren’t eating healthier or getting thinner,” said Joe Redling, chairman and CEO of Nutrisystem, Inc.
The survey found:
— 52 percent of women would take a summer without sex over gaining 10 pounds; a quarter of American men (25 percent) said they would make the same sacrifice.
— 25 percent would prefer to shed 10 to 20 pounds this summer than get promoted at work.
— 73 percent would be willing to give up their cell phones, TV or computers in exchange for a flatter tummy this summer.
The survey, which was released today, also found that 29 percent of Americans have tried dieting over the past eleven months and that 51 percent have dieted within the past two years.
Many Americans “are willing to make extreme sacrifices to lose weight, but they eventually give up on their goals because they don’t know how to reach them,” said Dr. Bruce Daggy, nutritional biochemist and vice president of research and development at Nutrisystem, Inc.
“This research helps shed light on some of the root causes of our nation’s struggle to achieve a healthy diet and lifestyle.”
The survey took place between April 10 and April 21 among 1,001 adults nationwide age 18 and older.