Statistics taken from both government and non-government sources have put America's obesity in numbers. In 2010 there were 72 million obese adults - that's 1 out of every 3. If this trend continues, 50% of the population will be obese by 2030. Mississippi had the highest obesity rate - 34.4% and Colorado had the lowest - 18.6%. In 2000 Americans spent $107 billion on fast food; in 2010 they spent $165 billion. Between the 1950's and 2000 meat consumption went up 57 pounds per person, cheese consumption went up 287% and sugar consumption went up 39%. It seems that Americans are "in-fat-uated" with food.
To diagnose obesity doctors had used Body Mass Index - a ratio of height to weight. However, BMI doesn't assess fat distribution or distinguish between fat and muscle. Waist size is a much more accurate predictor of heart disease - waist sizes of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men. Belly fat tends to be a sign of visceral fat - fat that gathers around organs in the abdomen. This fat seems to promote insulin resistance, unhealthy cholesterol numbers and inflammation. This is information to "take to heart".
One reason so many Americans are obese is that only 9% of us can accurately estimate the calories we should eat and only 9% of us keep track of calories every day. This is according to a nationally representative survey of 1,000 people done in 2011. Calorie requirements are different for everyone - from 1,400 for a small, sedentary woman to 4,000 or more for an endurance athlete. The survey also found that when people buy food, they rank their priorities in this order: taste, price and then healthfulness. This survey should leave a "bad taste in our months".
Finally, sitting too much does more than cause obesity. It increases the risk of heart disease. A University of South Carolina study calculated how much time men sit - in cars, at desks and in front of the TV. Men who spent more than 23 hours weekly had a 64% greater risk of dying from heart disease than men who spent less than 11 hours. Because major muscles aren't moving, metabolism slows. Our bodies shut down, causing increased levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides. Increased waist size increases risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, one-minute movement breaks throughout the day make a difference. This is information not to be "sat on".
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