Seasonal & Holidays
Being Better Person, Losing Weight Top 2018 Resolutions: Poll
The Marist Poll asked a sampling of U.S. residents if they were going make resolutions and what they were.
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Are you someone who makes resolutions for the New Year? If you are, you aren’t alone, but you’re not in the majority. According to a poll conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, 44 percent of Americans resolve to make a change going into 2018. Fifty-six percent of U.S. residents are not likely to do so.
Those proportions are identical to those reported last year.
So what are the 44 percent resolving to change for 2018?
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It’s a tie for the top choices, with 12 percent reporting they want to be a better person and the same proportion saying they want to lose weight.
Exercising more, eating healthier and getting a better job each garnered 9 percent, while 7 percent want to improve their overall health.
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Stopping smoking and planning to spend less and save money both got 6 percent.
Thirty percent of those questioned chose completely different resolutions altogether.
“With weight loss tying for the No. 1 resolution and exercise and healthy eating making the top five, health is top of mind,” said Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.
“And, if the past is any indication, many Americans have a good chance at keeping their promises for at least part of 2018,” he said.
According to the Marist Poll, among those who said they made a resolution for 2017, 68 percent said they kept at least part of their promise.
Similar proportions of men — 69 percent — and women — 66 percent — said they remained true to their word for at least part of 2017.
More men compared with women — 75 percent to 62 percent — said they kept their New Year’s resolution last year.
Last year, “being a better person” topped the list at 16 percent. “Exercising more” tied with “weight loss” for second place at 10 percent.
The top resolutions were rounded out with “spending less and saving more money,” “improving one’s health” and “eating healthier” — all at 7 percent.
The Marist Poll surveyed 1,074 adults 18 years of age or older between Nov. 6 and Nov. 9.
For more details, including complete methodology, go here.
Photo credit: Michael Woyton/Patch Staff.
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