More than half (53%) of consumers around the world say they are overweight—up from 50 percent three years ago. Roughly one third consider themselves just the right weight, which is down from 40 percent in 2008 and one-in-10 believe they are underweight. New findings from a Nielsen survey of more than 25,000 online respondents from 56 countries around the world reveal how consumers are battling the bulge and how food producers and marketers can help fight the good fight against obesity.

With feedback from more than 25,000 online respondents from 56 countries around the world, this report reveals how consumers are battling the bulge and how food producers and marketers can help fight the good fight against obesity. According to the study, 59 percent of consumers around the world have difficulty understanding nutritional labels on food packaging and more than half (53%) consider themselves overweight.

And what about trust—do consumers believe that claims on product packaging are accurate and truthful? Here too is ambiguity in the minds of consumers. Of 10 different product claims studied, only three received a complete believability rating by more than 20 percent of consumers (calorie content 33%, vitamin content 28% and fat claims 23%), highlighting a need to better educate consumers.

Consumers around the world have healthy eating on their minds and consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketers have an opportunity to help. Consumer-friendly nutritional labeling can be a powerful marketing tool as consumers are hungry for easy-to understand information. Clearly there is a need and an opportunity for more education to help reduce the skepticism that is apparent around all parts of the globe. And there is a need to offer tasty and healthful options to satisfy both the mind and body.