'I'm Too Big!' 78% of Women Say
07 August 2007 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
New 'Psychology of Size' Survey Uncovers Misconceptions That Can
Affect Women Research Arrives In Time For Summer Beach Season NEW
YORK, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- More than three-fourths of all women
(78%) are larger than they want to be, with more than half (56%)
wanting to be a size 8 or smaller (even though the average size is
12). As a result, most women who feel too big avoid activities such
as going to the beach and shopping for clothes. So finds a new
survey of 2,000 women, conducted by TSC, a division of Yankelovich
and sponsored by Slim-Fast, that looked at a health and social
issue of "growing" importance, the psychology of size - or how
women see themselves physically. Among the key findings: -- Of the
women who avoid certain activities, 65% avoid going to the beach or
pool, 42% shopping for clothes and 40% being nude in front of her
partner -- Only one woman in five considers herself to be her ideal
size -- Women would need to lose an average of 38 pounds to reach
what they consider an ideal size "How you feel about your
appearance affects how you live your life, especially your attitude
toward yourself," says Dr. Denise Martz, a clinical health
psychologist, professor and expert on body image, who helped guide
the survey. "The wider the gap between your ideal size and your
actual size, in fact, the less likely you are to feel happy,
confident, attractive, sexy or in control." Dr. Martz, who designed
the survey, believes the results are potentially empowering: in
understanding themselves better, women may be better able to adopt
healthier attitudes toward body image and weight loss. Indeed, the
best reasons the survey found for women to lose weight have to do
with the rewards achievable, such as: being healthy (80 %), feeling
better (76 %) and having more energy (74 %). More importantly,
almost three in four women (74 %) said that you can wear a large
size and still "feel good about yourself." "The most practical
advice I can offer you is this: develop realistic weight loss
goals," Dr. Martz says. "Only then will you be able to find the
weight that's right for you." The survey also shows that women's
attitudes about their appearance are heavily influenced by the
media. In fact, 75% of women agree that they will not be able to
accept themselves at their true size until they stop being so
influenced by the media. Further, 63% admit it is "very difficult"
for women to have a positive self image if they wear a large size
of clothing. And nearly all women (89%) agree that losing some
excess weight is always healthier even if a person doesn't reach
their ideal size. In tandem with these survey results, Slim-Fast
has launched a new advertising campaign that represents a new point
of view for the brand, called "Find Your Slim." The campaign
features women representing "real" body shapes and sizes with
messages such as, "We believe in hips, not hip bones ... " "Even if
you lose only ten pounds, even if you go down only one dress size,
you're going to look better, feel better and be healthier," said
Patricia Groziak, a Registered Dietitian and Senior Manager of
Medical Marketing for Slim-Fast. "That's the message that 'Find
Your Slim' is intended to send." About Slim-Fast Foods Company
Slim-Fast, a business unit of Unilever, offers a proven and
effective way to lose weight that includes delicious and
nutritionally-balanced weight loss shakes, meal bars and
portion-controlled snacks, meal planning and tracking tools,
physical activity suggestions, and expert advice and support. There
are over 35 published clinical studies which show that following
the Slim-Fast plan promotes effective short- and long-term weight
loss and weight maintenance, as well as associated improvements in
the health risks of obesity. The Slim-Fast product line includes an
affordable range of Shakes, Powders, Meal Bars and Snack Bars that
are available in retail outlets nationwide. Visit slim-fast.com or
call 1 800 SLIMFAST for more information. About Unilever Unilever
[NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world's largest consumer products
companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs
for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the
world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever
products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people
feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States
these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben
& Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree,
Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle,
Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and
Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered
trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving
consumers and the communities where we live, work and play,
Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people
in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and
Puerto Rico - generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For
more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/. DATASOURCE:
Slim-Fast Foods Company CONTACT: Corey R. Martin of Ogilvy PR
Worldwide, for Slim-Fast Foods Company, +1-212-880-5364, Web site:
http://www.slim-fast.com/ http://www.unileverusa.com/
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