A new study shows surprising numbers of Americans are concerned about their weight. 70% say they are concerned about their weight status, and 77% are trying to lose or maintain their weight.
What are we doing about it? 69% are eating less; 63% are changing the type of foods they eat; and 60% are getting more active. 65% of Americans report weight loss as the reason they are trying to eat healthier. Still there’s a lot more to be done.
This comes from the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 5th annual Food & Health Survey.
We need to do something — just 2 countries have more obese people than the United States. And the rates are headed up not down.
What is the culprit? According to the study we don’t understand the impact of calories. To avoid gaining weight we have to burn more calories than we eat. For many of us that means tracking calories. It means knowing how many calories we use in a day. It’s also an economic problem – cheap food and fast food is often very high in calories. Combined with a more sedentary lifestyle and yes, we have a collective weight problem.
I think they should start with Disneyland – the happiest place on earth has the worst foods for our waistlines. Walt Disney couldn’t stay slim on the kinds of foods for sale. I was recently on a trip to Disney World and got a look at kids from all over the country. Many were overweight.
I also saw a movie showing the first men to walk on the moon. I was surprised at how trim the astronauts were.
Almost all of us have a few extra pounds to lose. We hope to not only become more educated but to make better choices about food and exercise.
More at www.foodinsight.org
Tags: International Food Information Council, Obesity, Weight loss
