Drop that Doughnut: Healthy Eating is Key to Fighting America's Obesity Problem

Americans like things big. We build the biggest houses, drive the biggest SUVs and eat the biggest meals. Unfortunately, all that "supersized" living has taken its toll on the country's health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60 percent of Americans are overweight and of these, more than 30 percent are obese. That works out to more than 60 million people over the age 20.

To make matters worse, the problem isn't faced by adults alone. Statistics show that the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6 to 19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight.

While television commercials are filled with magic pills and effortless weight loss plans, the experts agree that there are two key ingredients in any weight loss recipe.

"Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle," said Donna Mehrle, manager of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "We must step up our efforts to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families. "

In Mehrle's home state, obesity has increased dramatically - nearly doubling in the past 15 years. In 2002, more than 23 percent of Missourians over age 18 were obese, compared to 11.9 percent in 1990. More than half of Missouri adults are overweight, a condition which can lead to obesity.

The U.S. Surgeon General's office warns that obesity is a contributing factor in a number of chronic illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and some types of cancer.

In Missouri, Gov. Matt Blunt has launched the Healthy Missourians Initiative, a statewide plan to fight obesity that emphasizes the importance of efforts to help residents maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent a number of chronic diseases and live longer, healthier lives.

In order to help American's improve their nutrition and physical activity levels, the American Dietetic Association has put together a list of things to keep in mind.

First, it is important to think long term about all those snacks and lazy afternoons spent in front of the television. Choosing junk food and inactivity now, will not only affect your health and how you feel today, but in the future as well.

Next, spread your food selections around and make sure to sample every food group. Giving your body the balanced nutrition it needs means eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day. But don't go overboard. You still need to stay
within your daily calorie needs.

On that same note, meals should be planned to provide the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak. The ADA suggests choosing those foods which are the most nutritionally rich but lowest in calories.

With your eating habits reformed, it's time to throw in some physical activity. While being active on a regular basis is important for your overall health and fitness, it also helps control body weight and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

"We cannot over emphasize the importance of a healthy diet, as well as physical activity, to battle obesity," Mehrle said. "Small steps result in big rewards. Make healthier lifestyle choices today, and you'll reap the benefits for years to come."