In today’s society it is almost necessary for both parents to work in the household. That has taken its toll on the way home lives have evolved over time. There are very few households where there is a full time stay at home parent. So the age of Fast food has become a way of life to most of us. It is so much easier to run through the drive through on the way home than it is to go home and make a three-course meal for five after an eight-hour day! As a result our society has developed an extreme obesity problem.

Obesity is a serious and increasingly prevalent health problem. In the United States, and estimated 33.3% of men and 36.4% of women have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater (a BMI under 26kg/m2 is considered healthy). Moreover, 14.4% of American men and 16.2% of women are now considered obese using a standard of 30 kg/m2 BMI or greater. in addition, 26% of American children are overweight and 10% are severely overweight. These statistics represent a dramatic increase over a relatively short period.

We know that this increased prevalence of overweight is paralleled by an increase in inactivity. Most jobs today are sedentary, and 24% of Americans report participation in no leisure-time activity. Overweight people are even more likely to report being inactive. A recent investigation was done into the relationships among physical activity, television watching, body weight, and level of weight in American children. It was found, at no surprise to any of us, that a very strong relationship between television watching and obesity was found.

It is well accepted that remaining sedentary is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This is supported by the fact that the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in the United States since 1900, despite a 10% decline in food intake Hence, the goal of most weight-management programs should be to decrease energy intake while simultaneously increasing energy expenditure and reducing sedentary time.

The food pyramid we are all familiar with may be getting an overhaul! According to an article I recently read, the Agriculture Department plans to revise its food guide pyramid to include for the first time consideration of people’s age, gender, weight and the amount of exercise they get in helping calculate their dietary needs.

It was stated that the materials will be aimed specifically at people who are overweight or who don’t get enough exercise.

The move to change the pyramid comes just after the White House Office of Management and Budget said the Agriculture Department needs to revise the well-known graphic and dietary guidelines to get the nation’s obesity problem under control.

Consumers still will be encouraged to limit total fat intake to just 30 percent of all their calories and saturated fat to less than 10 percent.

Recommended cholesterol intake should be 300 milligrams or less and sodium intake should not exceed 2,400 milligrams. It was mentioned that the department will still follow through to discourage eating trans fatty acids, which can harm the heart and are found in many baked and fried goods. Instead, the department will encourage increased consumption of foods high in omega-3 fats, such as fish.

Now they say the department plans to publish its proposal and collect opinions from the public and experts making any changes.

Healthy Changes Fitness Center has two A.C.E. Certified Trainers here at our facility that can help you get started on a fitness program that you can continue to follow each time you visit. With this type of program you can feel assured by watching your progress that you are steadily working toward your goals. We are also capable of measuring your Body Mass Index here at the Club. Healthy Changes (907) 262-6197