Obesity in America and How You Can Make a Change


Obesity in America is something that affects two out of every three adults. Obesity in America is a complex issue that researchers are still trying to understand. Some causes can also be linked to social and environmental changes in the way we work, our levels of physical activity and healthy eating. These factors are the things that we as Americans can change in our daily lives in order to live a healthier life.

Doctors can determine the amount of excess body fat in a patient, but the actual cause of obesity in America is hard to pinpoint even with all the scientific tests. Researchers are looking at the changes of various factors affecting Americans as possible causes of the rising obesity rate in the US.

Nature of Work and Decreased Physical Activity

According to information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of the jobs in the private sector during the 1960s required some physical activity. But in the 2010, less than a fifth of the jobs needed physical activity. What this means is that in today’s business world, we are not engaging in physical activity as much at work and need to make up for this.

Researchers had computed that present day men burn 142 calories less each day compared to when one did during the 1960s. In the 1960s, the average American man weighed around 169 pounds. During the 2000s, the average American weighed 202 pounds. The decrease of calories burned accounted for 28 pounds of the excess weight. Inactivity and decrease in healthy eating habits led to extra weight in the stomach and contributed to obesity in America.

The decrease of physical activity in the workplace can be countered by engaging in more physical activity during time off from work, but the sad truth is that most Americans have reduced their time for exercise.

Most of the time, Americans watch movies or play video games at home instead of playing sports or going to the gym. Watching TV will also subject the viewers to ads for junk food and will make them grab some snacks in the kitchen. We should engage in healthy eating and getting good exercise. You can increase your physical activity from home NOW with my “17 Minute Workout” DVD.

Decrease in Healthy Eating Habits

The daily caloric intake of Americans has increased in the past couple of decades. In the 1970s to the 1990s, larger portion size attributed to the increase of the caloric intake and could have triggered greater obesity in America.

Then in the 1990s, food choices improved but Americans ate more often. The number of snacks and meals taken by Americans has increased. Healthy eating and developing better eating habits is a great change to make to better your overall health.

Change Your Work Life and Eating Habits

These are only some of the environmental factors that contributed to obesity in America. We must take charge and take care of our diet, practice healthy eating and exercise. We should watch television less, sleep the right amount and develop consistent physical activity if we want to be healthier as individuals.

I hope you enjoyed my blog on obesity in America and how healthy eating and physical activity can help make a change. Please share and comment below.

Topics included in this article include:

Obesity in America

Healthy Eating

Physical Activity

2 thoughts on “Obesity in America and How You Can Make a Change

  1. Hi Dr Mike I’m on the 2nd Phase of the 17 Day Diet. Had great results the first phase but have gained a pound and stalled on the 2nd phase. Should I go back to The first cycle plan? I have about 20 pounds to lose and have already lost about 6.

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