Americans are split on ability to maintain diets during holidays

Washington, DC, November 24, 2021 - A recent Ipsos poll finds that Americans are spilt in half on their ability to maintain their diets while celebrating holidays. Dietary patterns generally have remained similar since May 2021. Long walks and hikes remain the top exercise done more than once a week by Americans. On another note, two in three feel that young and upcoming artists are often take advantage of by experienced industry businesspeople. A similar level of support is shown for increasing protection so artists retain control over their creative property. Restaurants are also the most frequented location outside the home by all Americans in 2021.

Detailed Findings

1. Americans are evenly split on their ability to maintain diets during holidays (50%).

• Baby Boomers (61%) are more likely to maintain their dietary goals on holidays than Gen Z (49%). Two-thirds feel good about the quality (67%) and quantity (61%) of the food they eat during holidays. However, only one in three (37%) report eating healthy during these celebrations. Most Americans do not adjust their diet due to peer pressure, though Gen Z (15%) is more likely to compared to Baby Boomers (8%).
• Dietary patterns generally have remained similar since May 2021. When looking at generations, Gen Z and Baby Boomers’ opinions tend to vary the most from each other. For example, 71% of Baby Boomers agree that eating red meat is a part of the American way of life while just 47% of Gen Z says the same.

2. One in five (21%) take a long walk or hike more than once a week. This has remained the most popular exercise since April 2020 (25%). The next most popular activities are lifting weights (15%), meditating (14%), and running, biking, and swimming (13%).

3. Two in three feel that young artists (singer, songwriter, actor, etc.) are taken advantage of by experienced business people (64%) or industry executives (64%).

• About the same (63%) feel there should be more protections for artists to maintain control over their creative properties. Most believe signing a contract should not allow an artist to lose all rights to their work or name.

4. Restaurants are the most frequented location by all Americans (74%) and generations in 2021, followed by movie theaters (25%) and bars (24%). Gen Z is most likely to have gone to a concert (20%), carnival (13%), or nightclub (9%) when compared to other generations. Millennials are least likely to have gone to any locations or events in 2021 (22%). Trade shows (4%) and auctions (2%) have the lowest attendance in 2021.

About the Study

This Ipsos poll was conducted November 19 – 22, 2021, by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,019 general population adults age 18 or older. The sample includes 96 respondents aged 18-25 (Gen Z), 211 respondents aged 26-39 (Millennial), 244 respondents aged 40-55 (Gen X), and 468 respondents aged 55+ (Baby Boomer).

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The margin of sampling error takes into account the design effect, which was 1.19. The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on other sub-samples. In our reporting of the findings, percentage points are rounded off to the nearest whole number. As a result, percentages in a given table column may total slightly higher or lower than 100%. In questions that permit multiple responses, columns may total substantially more than 100%, depending on the number of different responses offered by each respondent.

The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel®, the largest and most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult US population. Our recruitment process employs a scientifically developed addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the US. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of our recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel® cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population.

The data were weighted to adjust for gender by age, race/ethnicity, education, Census region, metropolitan status, household income, race/ethnicity by gender, race/ethnicity by age, and race/ethnicity by education. The demographic benchmarks came from the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) except for the metropolitan status, which is not available from the 1-year ACS data, were obtained from the 2020 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS).

• Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18–25, 26–39, 40-54 and 55+)
• Race/Hispanic Ethnicity (White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Latinx, Asian, Other)

• Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, Bachelor or higher)
• Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West) by Metropolitan status (Metro, non-Metro)
• Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
• Race/ethnicity (White/Other Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Latinx, Asian) by Gender (Male, Female)
• Race/ethnicity (White/Other Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Latinx, Asian) by Age (18-44, 45+)
• Race/ethnicity (White/Other Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Latinx, Asian) by Education (Some College or less, Bachelor and beyond)

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

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