This Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll reports:

FeedRoom

New Year's Resolution Poll

NBC WEATHER PLUS NBC Weather Plus Alerts: Severe Weather Interactive Radar Add: Weather Plus Widget School Closings, Delays Navigation 4: Real-Time Traffic Reports Grand Central: Real-Time Departure Board Interactive: All About Flooding Check: Airport Delays

Getting in Shape

Losing weight tops the list for people who intend to make a New Year's resolution this year. Other major goals for 2003 are to stop smoking, spend less money, improve one's health, or get a better job.

Question Wording: What is it that you resolve to do or not to do in the New Year?

Americans Who Intend to Make a Resolution This Year:

Lose weight17%
Stop smoking12%
Spend less money12%
Improve health 8%
Get a better job 8%
Be a better person 7%
Increase family time 5%
Eat healthier 4%
Go back to school 4%
Exercise more 3%
Stop drinking 1%
Get a new house 1%
Get closer to God 1%
Use time better 1%
Travel 1%
Set goals 1%
Be kinder to others 1%
Other 13%

Top Three Resolutions

Women 18-34
Get a better job23%
Eat healthier14%
Lose weight12%
Men 18-34
Spend less money28%
Get a better job14%
Stop smoking 8%
Women 35 and older
Stop smoking22%
Lose weight21%
Be a better person10%
Men 35 and older
Lose weight28%
Improve health17%
Stop smoking10%

Young Women Most Likely to Make a Resolution

39% of adults plan to make a New Year's resolution. This is down from last year, when 44% said they were likely to make a resolution. 66% of women under 35 years of age report they will try to turn over a new leaf in the New Year.

Question Wording: Are you very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely at all to make a New Year's resolution?

Very or Somewhat Likely
Americans 200239%
18 to 34 years of age59%
Women66%
Men53%
35 and older32%
Women34%
Men30%
200144%
200040%
199937%
199838%
199737%

Not Likely At All
Americans 200261%
18 to 34 years of age41%
Women34%
Men47%
35 and older68%
Women66%
Men70%
200156%
200060%
199963%
199862%
199763%

A majority of people who recall making a New Year's resolution last year, kept it. Men are more likely to keep their resolutions than women.

Question Wording: Did you keep it?

Americans Who Made a Resolution Last Year 63% Yes, 37% No
Women50% Yes,50% No
Men79% Yes, 21% No

Nature of the Sample: 1,017 adults 18 years of age or older in the continental U.S. 1,017 adults 18 years of age or older within the continental United States were interviewed by telephone on October 8th and 9th, 2002. Telephone numbers were selected from a complete list of exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region of the country was represented in proportion to its population. The results for the entire survey are statistically significant at + or - 3%. The margin for error increases for cross-tabulations.