Objective: Overweight and obesity rates are associated with chronic diseases and higher rates of disability and continue to rise in the United States and worldwide. The purpose of this study was to build on past research and further investigate demographic and lifestyle variables associated with increased body mass index (BMI: kg/m[squared]). Methods: Personal Information Worksheets were completed by 125 bariatric surgery candidates and 213 community dwelling individuals providing a sample size of 338. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed on three sets of independent variables (demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables and consumer response) and one dependent variable (BMI). Results: Lower levels of education and physical activity, higher levels of diet soda consumption and number of dieting attempts, and likelihood of starting a diet programme based on advertising testimonials were predictive of higher BMI. Conclusion: This research highlights the need for more education emphasizing the importance of increased healthy behaviours versus use of diet products and fad diets to improve success of weight loss efforts. (Contains 2 tables.)