America: the land of milkshakes and honey buns. As a nation, we’re eating more and exercising less. There’s a trend in the U.S. towards obesity, and it’s affecting people in record numbers all over the country.
While the South stereotypically wallows in country-fried obesity, Moon Pies and inactivity -- showing the most girth and growth -- the epidemic is nationwide. Consider that between 2003 and 2004, the adult obesity rate rose in 48 of the 50 U.S. states, according to the Trust for America's Health. Americans all over the country are switching to sweatpants.
This study also predicts that 73 percent of American adults will be obese or overweight by 2008 if something isn’t done to stop this dangerous trend.
At the moment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that approximately two-thirds of Americans are overweight, with nearly half of those being obese.
Look at the person to your left, now to the right. Chances are, at least one of them is obese, and, if neither of them is, you might want to put down the bear claw and take a look in the mirror.
In a recent survey of more than 11,000 people conducted by Thomson Medstat, a Michigan-based health-care research firm, more than three-quarters of obese Americans claim they have healthy eating habits.
Additionally, the telephone survey reports that roughly 40 percent of obese people also say they do 'vigorous' exercise at least three times per week. The numbers don’t add up. Are we a nation in denial?
There is, perhaps, some denial going on. Or there is a lack of understanding of what does it mean to be eating healthy, and what is vigorous exercise,' explains Dr. David Schutt of Thomson Medstat.
