Food, fitness top list of American obsessions: survey
A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults reveals that food and health and fitness are the top obsessions among Americans, with many engaging in trends like air frying, calorie counting, and using GLP-1 drugs. Over half of respondents find it exhausting to keep up with health and wellness fads, and a majority believe the country would be happier if people stopped obsessing over food and health. Many Americans, especially younger generations, express a desire to enjoy food without guilt, with queso emerging as a favored indulgent snack.
- ▪65% of Americans obsess over food, while 55% obsess over health and fitness, according to the survey.
- ▪68% of respondents believe America would be happier if people did not obsess over their health or food.
- ▪77% of Americans think food should be fun, and 92% would rather share favorite foods with friends than attend group spin classes.
- ▪Queso was identified as a top 'guilt-free' indulgence, especially among Gen Z and those in the Southwest.
- ▪57% of respondents are tired of being told what they should or shouldn’t eat, and 62% find it exhausting to follow health and wellness trends.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Lifestyle Food, fitness top list of American obsessions: survey By Jospeh Staples, SWNS Published May 4, 2026, 1:24 p.m. ET Originally Published by: According to new research, 64% of Americans believe the nation has a serious “obsession problem,” where people will find anything to obsess over. The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found that over half obsess over food (65%) and health and fitness (55%). Food obsessions include everything from air frying (46%), zero-sugar drinks (45%), and snack foods advertising themselves as healthy (44%). Proteinmaxxing (28%) and fibermaxxing (11%) were also trends that people have noticed. Similar obsessions can be found in the health and fitness space: GLP-1s (57%), counting calories consumed or burned (54%), and analyzing health tech data (43%).
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
