More Than Half Of Texans Lie About Health And Fitness Habits

Only in Texas?

At a time when many people are working to lose weight and get healthier, more than half of Texans admit to lying to family or doctors about their health and fitness habits such as nutrition and amount of exercise, according to the True Results Health Honesty Survey. Forty-six percent are not honest with family members and 32 percent admit to lying to doctors. True Results is a team of leading weight loss experts based in Texas.

Of those that lie, the majority (70 percent) do so only a few times per year and the main reasons for lying are embarrassment about one's real habits (57 percent) and not wanting to explain the truth (33 percent). Only 30 percent have been confronted about their dishonesty.

"Lying about your health and fitness, if even only a few times per year, can signify a fundamental issue in your ability to achieve your health goals," said Jessica Diaz, nutritionist and exercise physiologist for True Results. "Numerous studies have shown, the key to achieving any health or fitness goal is support from those around you and that cannot happen if you're not honest with yourself or others."

Gender and Weight Play a Role

True Results' survey also revealed that slightly more women lie about their health and fitness habits to family than men (50 percent versus 43 percent) and to their doctors (34 percent versus 28 percent.) The poll also showed that overweight people are less honest with others. Weight categories were calculated by determining each respondent's Body Mass Index (BMI), or measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Weight - % That Lie to Friends & Family - % That Lie to Doctor

Normal (BMI 18.5 - 24.9) - 36 - 23
Overweight (BMI 25 - 29.9) - 45 - 26
Obese (BMI 30 - 34.9) - 50 - 37
Obese (BMI 35 - 39.9) - 63 - 45
Morbidly Obese (BMI 40+) - 65 - 50

Fat people are legend for lying about themselves.

That is a reason why self-reported data are so lousy.