The “2010 Food & Health Survey” by the International Food Information Council identifies recent attitudes of U.S. consumers toward their diet. Most (70%) are concerned about their weight. To address this concern, people are changing the amount of food they eat (69%), changing the types of food they eat (63%), and engaging in physical activity (60%).

More than half (57%) of U.S. adults say they are satisfied with their overall health, although 70% are concerned about their weight. More than three-quarters (77%) are actively trying to lose or maintain their weight. In fact, 65% of those in the U.S. say that weight loss is the primary driver for improving the overall healthfulness of their diet, while 16% say they have improved their diet to maintain their weight.

Nearly half of those surveyed said they are trying to consume more protein, which 68% believe helps build muscle. However, they are twice as likely to say that protein is found in animal sources (56%) versus plant sources (28%).

The majority of respondents (88%) conduct their food shopping at traditional grocery stores, and three-fourths of survey respondents say they are satisfied with the healthfulness or products available at their grocery stores (73%) and warehouse stores (80%).

This report also covers consumer attitudes with respect to calories, carbohydrates, sodium, low-calorie sweeteners, caffeine, food additives, food safety, and food labeling.