PENNSYLVANIA — A new national survey has revealed that Pennsylvania residents are among the country’s most frequent diet cheaters, with nearly nine in ten admitting to breaking their nutritional commitments.
According to a 2025 study by Solitaire Bliss, the Keystone State ranks 14th overall for cheating behavior across multiple categories, but a striking 88 percent of Pennsylvanians say they’ve cheated on a diet — the third-highest rate in the nation. Despite their culinary indulgences, Pennsylvanians tend to play fair in other areas: only 36 percent admit to cheating at store checkouts, one of the lowest rates in the country.
The report, which surveyed residents across all 50 states, explored patterns of “everyday cheating” — from skipping taxes to cutting lines or using gaming hacks. Sixteen percent of Pennsylvanians acknowledged cheating on their taxes, placing the state 15th nationwide in that category. Overall, 78 percent of respondents nationally said they cheat less than they used to, suggesting Americans may be slowly moving toward more honest habits.
Nationwide, New York, Arkansas, and Alabama topped the list for the most cheating overall, while North Carolina, Minnesota, and Maine ranked as the most honest states. Diets, schoolwork, and store checkouts emerged as the areas where Americans are most likely to bend the rules.
While cheating on taxes or relationships carries social stigma, Solitaire Bliss notes that many Americans feel less guilty about minor rule-breaking — particularly when it comes to food. As the study wryly observes, “Whether it’s cutting carbs or cutting corners, everyone’s guilty of a cheat day now and then.”
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