Obesity is a big problem in America, and it's only getting worse. In the 1960s, about 24 percent of American adults were overweight, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But by the 1980s, that number had jumped to 33 percent. A 2009 study found that over a third of Americans qualified as obese. There's no single reason why this is so. Instead, there are lots of factors involved, such as poor food quality, lack of exercise, and rushed eating habits. Some factors are harder to control in one's personal life than others. For example, if you live in an area with a long commute it may be hard to make exercise part of your daily routine. However, there are ways to control what, when, and where we eat.
Exercise
Many Americans don't get enough exercise to burn off extra calories, and end up gaining weight. This isn't because Americans are all stereotypical couch potatoes. Often people don't have time to exercise, or can't access affordable or safe exercise facilities. Americans often walk very little in their daily lives. Many Americans are dependent on cars for transportation, both for work and for daily tasks like going to the supermarket or drug store.
Ingredients
The American diet includes a lot of fat, salt and sugar. Those fats and sugars often come in highly processed forms, such as hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. This makes for a lot of tasty snacks but also means that Americans eat a lot of empty calories, calories which provide little nutrition. These excess calories build up and are converted into fat.
Portions
Americans tend to eat big portions of food, whether at home or in a restaurant. People may try to finish every bit of food that's put on their plate, and the typical American has a lot on his plate. Restaurants often serve enormous portions or serve all-you-can-eat buffets. In addition, American supermarkets tend to sell food in large packages or in bulk quantities. People don't want to waste money by letting food go bad, and so they are tempted to overeat.
Access
In some areas of America---often urban areas where people have low incomes---there are few or no supermarkets. Groceries may be sold in convenience stores where the selection is poor and those products that are available are expensive. Instead of buying subpar and pricey meat, vegetables or fruits, people in these neighborhoods may prefer cheaper processed foods or fast food. This type of diet leads to obesity.
Schedule
American life is fast-paced, which means that people don't have enough time to cook healthy meals. Instead, they opt for frozen meals, prepared foods or fast food. Many Americans don't know cook for themselves and are totally reliant on restaurant food or prepared meals. In addition, short mealtimes put an emphasis on quantity over quality---many people want food that's sugary or fatty, as these elements add to food's flavor, and added sugar makes for a quick energy boost.
