Dieters’ Top Concern Is Fitness, Survey Shows : Health: Most people in Orange County, as throughout the U.S., used to eat less to look good, but these days they are cutting down to <i> feel </i> good.

Today’s dieters are shedding pounds primarily to improve their health, not to improve their looks--a reversal of the reasons for losing weight five years ago, a recent Orange County survey reveals.

The survey, conducted by Weight Watchers of Orange County, appears to reflect the public’s growing awareness that being overweight can contribute to heart disease and other health problems, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

The survey, which was conducted in September among 535 Weight Watcher clients, asked the question, “What is your main reason for losing weight?” The answer given most often--by 22%--was to improve health. Five years ago, in the same survey, health ranked third--or 13%--among the dieters. In last month’s survey, losing weight to improve appearance ranked fourth out of five reasons, while five years ago, that was the most-often mentioned reason.

“When we conducted the last similar survey, people seemed more concerned with how they were perceived by others. They desired to lose weight for more external reasons,” said Kathleen Roberto, public information director for the Weight Watchers of Orange County. “Today there seems to be more of a consciousness of health. Appearance is taking a back seat.”

Roberto attributed the change in attitude to the emphasis placed on fitness and health by American society, along with Weight Watchers’ health programs and with recent reports that link obesity to a number of ailments, including heart disease.

After health, increasing energy and stamina ranked second among reasons for losing weight (17%), according to the recent survey. Taking more control of one’s life (15%), improving appearance (14%) and increasing self-esteem (9%) rounded out the rest of the answers.

Five years ago, the reasons were improving appearance (21%), pleasing spouse or others (13%), improving health (13%), advancing career (12%) and taking control of one’s life (7%).

“I do have a feeling that society’s leaning toward health issues has played a part in the change of attitudes,” Roberto said. “In the ‘80s, people were more interested in career advancement and personal appearance. But in the coming decade, health and family issues are being stressed. People are more concerned with intrinsic influences, rather than a desire to please others.”

Diane Parr agrees with that. Thirteen years ago, the 42-year-old woman from Orange began her up-and-down battle to shed pounds, but she was not successful until she decided she wanted to lose weight not to look better, but to feel better.

“I just noticed such a change in how I felt when I began eating the right foods, and even in how I looked, as far as my complexion was concerned, after drinking the recommended amount of water,” Parr said. “I was constantly losing 20 pounds, then gaining 25 back, until I started actually eating the right foods and exercising for my body’s health sake.”

Marilyn Schnabel of Tustin admits that changing her attitude about weight loss made dropping the pounds and keeping a healthly heart much easier.

“It just gets to a point when you realize that your body isn’t going to last forever,” Schnabel said. “So you start cutting down on the sugar and the fatty foods and start trying to do many different exercises to aid your condition.”