We all basically have accepted that Americans are getting fatter. Everyone has heard the term the “obesity epidemic,” but there still seems to be a couple of opinions on the best way to go about fixing it. I ran across an article recently that questioned whether the problem is the caloric intake or inactivity making us fatter.
The article argued that since the 80’s, our caloric intake hasn’t changed all that much, but our activity level has changed significantly. People are, on average, exercising less for leisure activities. Shockingly, up to half of Americans reported being “not active at all.” Not surprisingly, the biggest age group culprit was 18-39 {I assume it is because those are the years where you are really focused on the daily grind of the job and home life–and let your own health suffer}.
Our modern day sit-in-front-of-a-computer sort of jobs aren’t helping either, apparently. One study found that men are burning about 140 calories less per day, and women are burning 120 less calories per day than they did just a few decades ago. I can totally see how our jobs have gotten less physical over the years. Computers do everything for us, so all we have to do is sit there.
The one thing that the article didn’t mention is that while we might be eating roughly the same calories in a day, WHAT we are eating has changed drastically. Processed foods, sugar laden foods and drinks, etc. make up waaaay more calories than they did when I was a kid. I really think there is something to the what we eat, not just the how much. In fact, I’ll even go out on a limb and say, I don’t think calories are calories. Our bodies are much more effective at burning whole foods. Combine poor nutrition with inactivity, and it seems like an obvious recipe for disaster.
The article suggested that people who fell into the sedentary category add 30 minutes of activity into their day. Think about that. A 30 minute stroll or bike ride could be all it takes to kickstart a healthier you. I know for sure that I waste 30 minutes a day surfing the web, checking emails, or just staring blankly out the window while I try to muster up motivation.
So, what do YOU think? Do you think we need to focus on being more active?
~Mavis
Robin says
I know that I need to be more active. Thanks for sharing the article.
Tina B says
I just gained and gained weight over the years until I changed how I ate. I have been a member of a local gym for 19 years, and had a love/hate relationship with exercising for the first 15 years of being a member. I’ve lost some, gained it back along with some friends, and yo-yoed over the years, as I went from “overweight” to “obese” to (gasp!!) “morbidly obese.” I know HOW I got there–too much food (I’m an emotional eater, so it took learning how to control that aspect to be able to control my weight successfully), not enough exercise, and I almost hesitate to say it, but not exactly the best food.
In the last 2+ years I’ve brought my weight under control and am now a “normal” weight according to the government’s guidelines for my height. What I had to do was carefully watch how much I ate, first and foremost, but also I have been changing WHAT I ate. I have been slowly weaning my family from many processed foods and even canned foods. We eat fresh vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits, lean meats (not a lot), dairy (not a lot) and I feed my family how I have chosen to eat. I exercise hard for a minimum of an hour a day, 6 days a week, although summer is more challenging for that goal with the kids home from school. But, I feel this is a maintainable lifestyle.
I have heard people say that eating healthy is too expensive. That hasn’t been the case for us. Many areas have farms from which folks can buy produce, much like the Bountiful Baskets co-op from which I purchase my family’s produce. I buy the rest of our food on sale or in bulk. For a family of 4, I’m spending on average $350/month for groceries. It is doable. My health has benefited and I am in the best shape of my life. Ever!
In response to the information you shared–yes, we have, as a whole, become more sedentary. The food at the grocery store has become more “user friendly” despite not necessarily being the healthiest for our bodies, and I have noticed that many people eat out much more frequently on average than Americans used to just a generation ago. I would love to see someone do a study on the frequency of eating out and how that relates to whether a person is overweight (or worse) or not.
Erin Wilson says
Yep. I’m far too heavy (dare I say morbidly obese) for a few reasons. Sugar and inactivity are the two biggest. I’m living in a place where there isn’t much in the way of processed food available, so I can’t blame that. Sugar…it’s the poison I can’t seem to put down. In time, I hope.
Mariah says
Watch the recent documentary FED UP… it covers some of this discussion, whether a calorie is a calorie, etc. It’s fascinating stuff!
Diana says
Despite being active my whole life, my weight has crept up in recent years. I blame all of the above-mentioned factors, but mostly computer time and inactivity, foods that are over-processed and over-sweetened/salted/fat enriched, the seemingly endless availability of food, and appliances that do the work for us. Grocery stores are getting bigger and bigger, they are easy to get to, and the shelves are always full of delicious looking ready-to-eat food at affordable prices, with excess stock in the back. And eating out is becoming routine, as Tina mentioned above.
Additionally, routine domestic chores require far less effort than the old-school methods, such as: Vacuuming vs using a broom, using a clothes dryer vs hanging laundry outside, using a bread machine or Kitchen Aid vs kneading dough, weed eater vs weed whip…the list could go on and on.
In the end, I DO think calories are calories. It’s purely biology and chemistry. More calories are creeping into our diets, while we have fewer and fewer ways to burn them. I agree that eating healthy is not that expensive, although it does take some effort to adopt shopping and meal prep routines that go against what the stores want to sell you. It’s nice to see someone else who acknowledges that it can work for a family.
Farm Girl says
Stress and depression! I believe these are the two main contributing factors to our weight gain in America. We have to work more and more hours to pay the bills. I realize that some choose to work more and more to buy more and more “stuff”/bigger houses/newest electronics, but there are some that are just trying to make ends meet. Long gone are the days that a parent could stay home and take care of things. Now everyone tries to fit in all of those duties in their spare time leaving little to no time for down time as a family. I know as a working woman that it would be nice if I wasn’t trying to fit all of the following in at night and on weekends: laundry, cleaning, cooking, canning, gardening, farm chores, family play time, family outings and activities, visiting elderly family, church lessons, etc. Additionally families do not have nice home cooked meals ready for them at around 6 each evening any more either. We eat later and later b/c we get off later and later and have more to do when we get off. All of this leads to more stress and more depression. If more families could have one parent at home taking care of things like they used to I believe our whole country would change for the better. If parents put a limit on their children’s activities, there would be more time at home. We would be happier and healthier if we slowed down and wanted less “things”. If families were actual families again instead of a group of people running in a million directions who barely know or see each other, our children would be better off as well! These are just my opinions.
Marcia says
Personally, the best thing for me ever was when I was only working 30 hours a week. I had enough time to do the grocery shopping during the week, take my kids to the park after work, pack lunches, do chores, exercise AND get 8 hours of sleep.
At 40 hours a week, I mean, forget it. 10 hours, gone.
Sadly, a lot of people can’t afford to work 30 hours. Even if you can, a lot of companies don’t want that – they’d rather have 2 people working 40-50 than 3 people working 30 because there are fewer people’s benefits to cover.
I’ve been trying to keep sane by taking my PTO when I need the extra time for kid appointments, sick kids, errands, etc., but now I only have 10 hours after my vacation is over. Hope I don’t get sick.
Cecily says
I don’t agree that the days where one parent can stay at home while the other works are long gone. I am a SAHM and we do fine. We may not have all the fancy gadgets, travel to exotic locals or have a big house in a prestigious neighborhood but we are fine with that. I think many work because society impresses on us that a simple life without a college education and with less stuff means we are not successful. Granted, there are single parents out there who must work full time or even two jobs to make ends meet, but single parenthood is often a choice (though not always). IMO obesity is caused by too much screen time, genetics, processed foods and daily medications that affect our metabolism. Also, the attitude of entitlement that people have today is a factor. After all, we are bombarded with advertising that tell us to buy that new computer/t.v./vacation house, and have a candy bar too because “You Deserve It”.
Carrie says
I’ve always been chubby or on the “overweight” side and have always fought to keep the 10-15 extra pounds off. Recently I had a change of taste. It may just be the summer heat but I have no desire to eat meat anymore. I’ve been eating wild rice and black beans (with homemade salsa and avocado), grilled veggies, eggplant parm, tomato sandwiches, and some nights just cereal. I am an avid ice cream eater too so I switched fat for sugar and started eating sherbet instead. I eat one egg at breakfast with fruit or yogurt as a snack and PB&Js at lunch with some fruit or leftovers. I have lost 8 pounds in just over a month. I do my usual 3-4 30 minute dog walks a week but other than that no extra exercise. I highly recommend anyone who wants to lessen their meat consumption to switch over to eating beans and nuts. I was surprised that I lost weight so quickly and have had no ill side effects.
Marcia says
Hmmm…I don’t think it’s simple at all.
First of all, a calorie is not really a calorie. I like to read Marion Nestle’s blog, and she reviewed some research a few years ago that showed that it’s not simply calories in- calories out. In fact, it takes a LOT more than 3500 extra calories to gain a pound, because the body is very efficient at maintaining weight. Sadly, that also means it takes a LOT more than 3500 calories reduced to lose a pound. (I personally have experienced this as I age – I have to cut calories a lot more.)
Also, consider medication – certain medication causes weight gain, even without an increase in calorie consumption.
Someone else also mentioned stress. I’d also add sleep. Stress and lack of sleep contribute to weight gain.
Processed foods are not good for you either. “You can’t out exercise a bad diet.” Everyone realizes this eventually. Some people experience it earlier than others. For sure, the Amish eat a lot and stay trim because they are so active. But face it – the majority of Americans do not have the time to out-exercise a bad diet. One of the guys at my gym (I swim at 5:30 am with a bunch of men in their 50s-70s, that’s just who happens to be up at that time) said “no, you just need to work out more, look at this 42-year old male cyclist who is trim and eats crap!”. Well, he’s a guy, and he exercises 8 hours a day, most people don’t have that time. And even if I did, my body can’t take that much exercise – I’ve had enough joint issues from running that I can’t do it anymore. So that means I walk, and swim, which don’t burn as many calories – so I have to do it longer, but you know – I have a FT job and two kids (aged 8 and 2). I don’t get enough sleep as it is, so I choose sleep over extra exercise.
Sorry that it is so long, but I’ve successfully lost >50 lbs and kept it off, then had a baby and lost weight again, then had a baby at 42 and … well, those extra 15 pounds are proving VERY stubborn. With stress at work (layoffs), lack of sleep (toddler), traveling husband, illness, etc. it’s hard to make headway. Unfortunately, at 44, I have to be “perfect” to see any weight drop off at all.
I’m trying to find something that works now. What works once might not always work. What works for one person (paleo, vegan) might not work for someone else. Right now I’m reading “Death by Food Pyramid” and “Simple Food for the Good Life”. I am exercising regularly and trying to follow the diet plan in “21 Day Fix” (color coded containers by food type). I think the unfortunate thing is that at my age, I have to cut carbs to lose weight, and I don’t wanna!
Mary says
I am a diabetic coordinator. I tell my clients that if they were to increase their activity levels while eating lower calorie natural foods, they would be able to lose weight, be much healthier and to stave off the effects of diabetes in their lives. I teach a lifestyle class to people who are trying to prevent diabetes, and it is all about activity and eating the right kinds of food. I work for a Native American tribe, and Native Americans have had the greatest change in their lifestyles over the years. Their incidence of diabetes has increased over every other race at astronomical proportions. They were once the healthiest. That just shows how lifestyle affects the body. It’s truly sad.
Lauren says
What do you think about probiotics? Just curious, as I have been reading more on them lately, as well as flora imbalances in the intestine.
Regarding the calorie/inactivity debate, I think both are to blame. I think we as a culture eat too much, and too much of that is processed. Also, we’re ridiculously inactive compared to most of the world, and all of history. I’m completely guilty of this, too, and counting down the days until Little Miss starts preschool and I can start running again without shelling out $12-$15/hour for childcare in the meantime. (19, if you’re wondering.) 😉
Marilen says
If Lucy has been throwing up and not eating since Sunday, I would definitely take her to the vet. You can also give her Slippery Elm (from the health food store) in the meantime to help her feel better.
Hope this helps and that Lucy is on the way back to good health.
Karin says
For me processed sugar is the drug I stay away from these days and that is kind of hard, because it is everywhere! Since I cut the sugar out 2 years ago I’m not suffering from hay fever anymore. You have to make all your own meals though, and not use any package, canned or boxed item. Sugar is everywhere. You may not recognise it at first because they have so many names for it, but if you start reading the labels, you’ll find it. Sugar is causing us to eat more, want more, never fill up. Especially the new modern processed sugars or even worse the sweeteners.
Last year I stopped eating grains and together with moderate exercise I lost 8,5 kg.
There are natural sweeteners like dates, apricots and honey that I use when I bake something sweet. For flour I use rice, almond or coconut.
It works for me and my family and I’m happy to see there are more and more people coming to the same conclusion and eating real food is not strange anymore.