Fat and Lazy is the New Patriotic!

C'mon man get off the couch and lay off the Twinkies!   Is obesity in America becoming part of our culture?  We have been told that bigger is always better, and for many things it is, but a super-sized serving of French fries, a triple bacon cheese burger with extra cheese, and a large chocolate shake will not be a "happy meal" when you look in the mirror.  Large portion sizes coupled with sedentary lifestyles are the recipe for the obesity epidemic in the United States.

Why are we the fattest country in the world?

1. Portion sizes are the greatest contributing factor to this problem.  Over the past few decades Americas food producers have been exponentially increasing the size of their products.  For example, in 1908 when the Hershey bar was introduced it weighed 0.6 ounces, now the smallest one you can get is double that size(Gibbs).  It does not take an astro-physicist to realize that when you increase the size of the portion you increase the amount of calories people consume.
2. Sedentary lifestyles are becoming the new norm.   Research has shown that approximately 43% of men and 52% of women do not engage in enough physical activity.  In 1988 those numbers were 11% for men and 19% for women (Hilburn).  Without proper exercise and with poor diet American's are becoming fatter and fatter.

How can we curb this epidemic? 

1. Eat home cooked meals.  By eating home cooked meals you have more control over what you eat as well as the portion size.  If you eat fast food virtually every option is unhealthy.  Even the salads usually have fried meat in them and they come with high calorie salad dressing which makes them unhealthy. 
2. Get off the couch and get some exercise!  The American Heart Association suggest that we engage in exercise for 30 minutes per day 5 time per week to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Also small decisions in your daily routine can help.  For example, take the steps instead of the elevator or walk to lunch instead of driving. 

This is a problem that can be reversed but it will not be easy.  It will require lifestyle changes and breaking bad habits that many of us Americans are accustomed to. I challenge you all to take a positive step for your health and to prove that all Americans are not fat and lazy.  You will not only feel better but you will live a happier more productive life.

Sources

Gibbs, Chloe. "Excessive Portion Sizes Help to Make America the Fattest Country in the World." Examiner.com. Montgomery Diet and Exercise Examiner, 10 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.

"American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults."American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults. N.p., 10 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.

Hillburn, Matthew. "Study: Obesity Surge Fueled by Sedentary Lifestyle." VOA. Voice of America, 10 July 2014. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.