Nearly 40% of adults in the United States are now considered obese and another 30% are overweight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that, “the average American man now stands at 5’9 and weighs 196 pounds which is 15 pounds higher from 20 years ago.

The average female today stands 5-feet-3 3/4 inches and weighs 169 pounds, a 20 pound increase over the past 20 years.

Rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disease have mirrored the rise of obesity.

According to the CDC, the United States as a whole is consuming more energy than they are burning. The more complex answer however relates to the food environment of this country and how it influences what we eat and how much we eat.

The biggest concern according to Scott Kahan, the director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, is that, “the unhealthiest foods are the tastiest foods, the cheapest foods, the largest-portion foods, the most available foods, the most fun foods.”

An article published by Vox magazine demonstrates just how exactly our food environment is affecting the health outcomes of the United States:

1. Americans tend to eat out a lot. Convenience foods are an everyday part of our fast paced society. Americans are cooking less and spending more money eating out. Researchers have found that individuals usually eat 20-40% more calories when eating out.
2.  Portion sizes increased by four fold over the past decades. According to the Center for Disease Control, the average caloric intake of American citizens has risen by nearly 500 calories in just forty years. The average restaurant meal today is more than four times the size of typical 1950s fare.
3. Easy access and consumption of sugary beverages, which increases likelihood of obesity and other chronic diseases.
4. Under consumption of high fiber foods. The recommendation by the FDA is 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day. However, only about 10% of Americans are consuming enough vegetables and 15% are meeting the guidelines for fruit.
5. Many meals, especially breakfast, are often a “disguised dessert.” The added sugars and lack of fiber reduce nutrient density in our diets while simultaneously increasing calorie consumption.

In order to improve the health of our country, action to improve our food environment is critical.  This means implementing public health initiatives to provide our communities with healthier choices through out their day and lives.

For more CDC Stats – See CDC Info Page on current U.S. Weight Trends

For more information on how our food environment is affecting health outcomes, visit “It’s easy to become obese in America.”

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