Why We're Overweight: Body Design vs. Changing Lifestyle
Today, two out of every three adults in America are overweight or obese. It is estimated that one-third of all U.S. kids born in the year 2000 will be diagnosed with diabetes some time during their lives—and many of these cases will be related to obesity and its complications. Why is this happening?Our lifestyles have changed dramatically over time, but our body's design has remained the same.
How life used to be, 10,000 years ago:
- When humans were hunters and gatherers, we expended about the same amount of calories we took in.
- We learned to eat until we were full, because we didn't know when food would be available again.
- We ate lean meat and fresh fruits and vegetables that were low in calories.
- Our bodies retained fat so we could survive when food was scarce.
Nutritional pollution
High-calorie foods are inexpensive and plentiful—over 90% of what Americans are eating is processed. When we speak of "nutritional pollution," we're referring to foods that are too high in:- sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup
- fat
- salt
- unnecessary artificial ingredients
Examples of the habits of disease:
- Eating only three (or fewer) times a day
- Having only coffee or orange juice for breakfast
- Watching TV after 10:00 p.m. regularly
- Eating more pasta and rice
- Eating out at least four times a week
- Getting four hours of sleep
- Eating dessert
- Drinking more caffeinated drinks than water
- Drinking more diet soda than water
- Wearing clothes with elastic waistbands
Examples of healthy weight-maintaining habits:
- Eating a substantial breakfast each morning
- Using the stairs whenever possible
- Parking far away from the store and walking
- Taking a five-minute power nap when tired
- Exercising five to seven days a week
- Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night
- Eating fish at least twice a week
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day
- Choosing healthy-minded friends
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