People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe me? Just tune-in to any source of advertising...you're instantly bombarded with the latest diet schemes and "Hollywood" food fads.
Here in America, we have built a thriving industry trying to control our weight and treat the consequences of over-indulgence. The cost of weight loss and obesity related health care treatments is staggering...Americans alone spend around $114 billion every year! And even with all this interest in losing weight, we continue to pack on the pounds like never before...
- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese...up about eight percent from earlier estimates.
- Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost nine million are overweight...triple the rate in 1980!
- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese.
For Americans, modern life may be getting TOO easy. Our cushy lifestyle means we expend less energy and consequently need fewer calories to sustain our normal body weight.
Think about it for a moment...
Entertainment no longer requires energy expenditure. In fact, it's usually quite the opposite. We now entertain ourselves in the comfort of our own home while watching TV and munching on our favorite snack. Whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we are moving less and burning fewer calories. Common activities that were once a part of our normal routine have disappeared...activities like climbing stairs, pushing a lawn mower or walking to get somewhere.
And please do not misunderstand me...I appreciate comfortable living just as much as the next person. But, here is the problem...
With all of our modern day conveniences and "cushy" style of living we have not adjusted our caloric intake to compensate for our decreased caloric expenditure. We consume more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before. Consider a few of the following examples comparing what we eat "today" vs the 1970's (U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):
- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970's, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.
- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because French fries and potato chips are included as vegetables. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.
- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.
- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970's.
- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.
- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.
- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. People are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies. In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers!
Unfortunately, it would seem that the days of wholesome and nutritious family dinners are being replaced by fast food and eating on-the-run. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions equate to better value.
It's time recognize that we are consuming too many calories and time to start doing something about it! Each of us can decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits WILL become a normal part of our life!
We can begin by exploring our values, thoughts and habits... slowly and deliberately weed-out the unhealthy habits and activities and start living a more productive and rewarding life. And remember, it has taken a long time to develop bad habits, so be patient as you work toward your goal!
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.
Emily Clark is editor at lifestyle health news and lifestyle health news where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
tidy up service Northbrook ..Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
You are a mineral bodyEvery part of you is made... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
The reason I remember the first time I was served... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin... Read More
I'm willing to bet you probably haven't heard the word... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
Nutrition |