Weight is more taboo than age for women

New York: It might be rude to ask a woman her age but to ask her what she weighs is definitely a no-go zone, according to a new US survey.

The poll found that 85 per cent of American women would rather reveal their age than their weight and even then they were likely on average to shave four years off their age.

Dieting expert Janice Taylor, who lost 55 pounds (25 kilograms) about six years ago and wrote dieting guide book Our Lady of Weight Loss, said asking a woman's weight was taboo -- and unlikely to yield the truth.

"Women are much more likely to lie about their weight than their age. I don't know anyone who would put their real weight on a form but they would be truthful about age," said Taylor.

"I think the only thing that could be as rude as asking a woman about her weight is asking what she earns,” she added.

The survey on what healthy women want, conducted by market research firm GfK Roper for the health magazine Prevention, also found 60 per cent of women if stuck on a desert island would still exercise for the health benefit.

The average weight that US women would like to lose is 41 pounds (18 kilograms), mainly because they no longer feel good about themselves, while 58 per cent said that "no amount of money" would get them to gain 50 pounds (22 kilograms).

The poll, featured in the magazine's April issue, found most women find they get less stressed after the age of 40 and by their 50s feel more confident about careers and family.

However, interest in sex takes a nosedive after the age of 40 with only 24 per cent of respondents saying it's important for good health compared to double that number for women under 40.

After 40, the poll found 45 per cent of women considered memory to be one of the most important aspects of good health compared to only 26 per cent of the under 40 age group.