The obesity epidemic in the United States is well-established, but a more concerning trend is emerging that suggests the possibility that Americans have given up on fixing their weight problems by and large. About one in three Americans are obese, compared to one in five just 20 years ago, and for people surveyed between 2009 and 2014, researchers found people were 17 percent less likely to say they’ve tried to lose weight compared to a similar survey between 1988 and 1994.

Overweight people who were not obese had lost interest in particular in maintaining a healthy wait, perhaps because they can say that at least they aren’t obese. It’s a concerning sign for the medical community, and it could have extremely negative impacts for the populace down the road, according to a study from researchers at Georgia Southern University.

The findings were consistent across racial and ethnic groups, but women appeared to be more likely to say they had given up on shedding those pounds. Black women were the most affected at 31 percent less likely, followed by white women at 27 percent.

The JAMA Network Journals statement reads. “Socially acceptable body weight is increasing. If more individuals who are overweight or obese are satisfied with their weight, fewer might be motivated to lose unhealthy weight. Jian Zhang, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, and colleagues used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess the trend in the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese and trying to lose weight during three periods: from 1988-1994, 1999-2004, and 2009-2014. Participants ages 20 to 59 years who were overweight (a body mass index [BMI] of 25 to less than 30) or obese (BMI 30 or greater) were included. The question of interest was “During the past 12 months, have you tried to lose weight?””