An Oversized Issue
... gone up forty percent since 1970 that means that about one out of four Americans eats at a fast food restaurant every day. Another factor in the weight gain of American citizens is the sudden popularity in super-sizing meals. It is said that a big mac and servings of super-sized coke and french fries adds up to 1,600 calories which is two thirds of the total recommended for adults per day and about double the amount of calories the body can absorb at one sitting. Studies show that people will eat larger portions that are put in front of them regardless of how hungry the actually are. Yet another problem causing obesity is the lack of physical activity among the population. Although the earliest settlers were hearty eaters feasting on bear, venison, turkey, potatos, beans, and corn, they weren't overweight because they spent their days burning of thousands of calories doing manual labor. This type of physical exertion once common in the workplace has been replaced with hours on the phone or in front of a computer and people have not increased their leisure time activities to make up for it. It is recommended that individuals get at least thirty minutes of mild exercise five times a week or twenty minutes of a more vigorous activity three times a week. A national health survey showed that forty percent of Americans engage in no physical activity at all in a given two week period. Of course becoming overweight is not just a risk in itself. Some people may think that the only problem they have to worry about with overeating is becoming obese. There are also several diseases that can come along with it. High blood pressure, high cholesteral, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallstones, and congestive heart failure are just a few of the many risks. These serious and often fatal diseases and conditions can all be brought on by obesity. Adults are not the only ones that are suffering. Obesity has become quite a problem in children also. Many of schools don't provide enough outlets for kids to run around...