Sifter

For the last 20 years the NPD Group has surveyed American’s eating patterns, and one question in particular tries to get to the bottom of how we view our overweight countrymen: “People who are not overweight are more attractive”—yes, or no? The results from the latest survey show that since 1985 (when 55 percent thought that thin was best) increasingly more Americans believe that those who are overweight aren’t necessarily less desirable—at ratio of 3-to-1. Does this mean we’re broadening our horizons, so to speak, or is the growing acceptance a matter of having more examples of ever-widening neighbors to influence us?

“People who are not overweight are more attractive.”

Survey year — % of Americans who agree w/statement

1985     55
1986     51.2
1987     45.5
1988     42.6
1989     41.9
1990     39.5
1991     36.6
1992     35.3
1993     32.5
1994     31.5
1995     27.9
1996     27.6
1997     27.8
1998     25.8
1999     25.5
2000     24.3
2001     26.2
2002     25.5
2003     24.5
2004     25
2005     24.1