| In the last 20 years there has been a dramatic and | | | | to the grocery store or to the drugstore, which for |
| sudden rise in obesity in the United States. As many | | | | me is about three blocks away. I frequently will walk |
| as 60% of adults who are older than 20 are | | | | to the drugstore even in inclement weather or cold |
| overweight or obese. There are a larger number of | | | | weather rather than drive. |
| men who are overweight and obese compared to | | | | 5.) Our modern appliances in our home are geared to |
| women. | | | | make everything easier for us and require little work |
| Some interesting facts about being overweight and | | | | on our part. The foods in general that are supplied to |
| or obese in the United States: over 20% of adults | | | | us and provided to us in the grocery store are |
| are now obese in the United States. Only about one | | | | mostly refined and processed foods there are fewer |
| third of the population have a healthy weight so the | | | | people taking advantage of farmers markets and |
| greater majority over 60% are either overweight or | | | | healthy fresh foods. |
| obese. Those who are under the age of 20 are also | | | | As you can see almost all of our activities have been |
| becoming more overweight and obese and the rate | | | | reduced to mostly sedentary activities. Our foods are |
| is rapidly growing, in fact it has tripled since 1980. | | | | mostly processed. Our work requires little physical or |
| Why are we seeing such a huge epidemic of obesity | | | | manual labor of any type. Our recreation activities are |
| in the United States? | | | | more mental and less physical. The necessities of life |
| 1.) First consider that with so many new technologies | | | | and obtaining them are much easier, through |
| we have reduced the amount of physical activity | | | | sedentary activities, than they were in the past. |
| required to do our jobs, most jobs are now reduced | | | | You must learn to become disciplined and avoid some |
| to little movement of the body because of the | | | | of these modern solutions if you want to keep a |
| advances in computer technology and the | | | | healthy weight you should do things such as: |
| improvements in machines. | | | | - stay active more frequently, walk to the local |
| 2.) Our leisure activities and recreation activities have | | | | stores. |
| also become sedentary requiring very little | | | | - take the stairs instead of using the elevator. |
| movement on our part. For example, going to the | | | | - make a exercise regimen standard in your life and |
| movies, watching TV, and computer use(has grown | | | | exercise at least 30 minutes a day for six days a |
| considerably). | | | | week. |
| 3.) We love to sit and watch things and/or play | | | | - visit farmers markets by vegetables and fresh |
| games video games in general instead of playing | | | | fruits more often and use those as your meals rather |
| outside and taking advantage of outdoor exercise | | | | than fatty refined or processed foods. |
| such as hiking, walking, or running outdoors. | | | | With just a few small changes in your daily routines |
| 4.) When we want to travel it's much more likely | | | | you'll quickly notice that it is easier to maintain your |
| that we will go out and get into a car, instead of | | | | weight and even possible to lose weight. Stay active, |
| walking anywhere even very short distances such as | | | | and your life can change for the better. |