CookevilleTimes polled some 72 Upper Cumberland residents to get a feel for the perception of weight related issues in the area. 

Mirroring a study recently released by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare in which 2,000 people over 18 were surveyed, we discovered some food for thought in the responses. 

In the national study, 90% of Americans are expected to be overweight or obese within 20 years. 

In our study, 86% thought that the majority of area residents were overweight or obese today.    It was an interesting result, particularly because 65% of those in our survey were satisfied with their eating habits.     In the national survey, some 79% of respondents were satisfied with their eating habits.

So, we're satisfied with our eating habits but pretty sure that most of us are already overweight or headed in that direction?

Maybe the answers are rooted in how we feel about food.  In the national survey, 74% said they had a personal connection with food.  In our survey, 91% said they had a personal connection with food.   We really like food.

And, we're not sure that's such a good thing.  In the national survey, 73% feel Americans have an unhealthy relationship with food.  In our survey, that number was close, at 68%. 

And here's a paradox:  we're satisfied with our eating habits, but the majority of us say we eat poorly on a weekly basis.  In the national survey 67% said they make bad choices on a weekly basis by skipping meals or eating when they're not hungry.  We broadened our quesiton to include eating foods we know are not good for us and a whopping 92% of us said that we indulged in this manner. 

In the national survey, over 50% are concerned with a spouse's eating habit or believe that someone in their immediate family has an unhealthy relationship with food.  In our survey, we were a little tougher on those spouses, and 70% of those surveyed in this area expressed concern with a spouse or loved one in terms of their relationship wtih food or eating habits. 

 So, putting that all together, it looks like we think we're headed toward obesity, if not already there, but are satisfied with our eating habits.  The majority of us have a personal connection with food and make poor choices on a regular basis and are concerned with the choices that others in our lives are making. 

It sort of makes us go.....hmmmmm... 

Food for thought as we start the year of the "perfect 10." 

Thanks to Lisa, Jennifer, Margaret, Marie, Lynn, Pat, Doug, Sue, Karen, Triva, Bo, Jerry, Terry, Carole, Sharon, Joe, Jim, Scott, Dave, Brenda, Mildred, Jodie, Larry, Mark, Anthony, Andrew, Nick, Mike, Jessica, Jessie, Lisa, Jim, Judy, Sandy, Rick, Josh, Jacob, Joan, Karen, Shonna, Shelba, Micheal and others who helped shape this story.