The Great American Bloat: Why We're Getting fatter and What We Can Do About It

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of American adults are obese, and this number continues to rise steadily every year. How did we get here? Why are Americans getting fatter? These questions have been answered in great detail by many people, but one answer that has yet to be explored in depth is the one from an economic perspective.

Explaining why we are getting heavier

Eating habits have changed dramatically in recent decades, with a rise in fast food consumption, portion sizes at home, and a shift away from physical activity. But blaming our supersized plates is only part of it. There are several explanations for America’s expanding waistline, each more nuanced than simply more calories = more weight. One key factor to consider is? The hormone leptin. Leptin regulates appetite and metabolic rate; an increased amount can signal your body to eat more while turning down metabolic rates (the rate at which you burn calories). Obesity has been linked to an overabundance of leptin in some individuals. Unfortunately, scientists don't yet know how these levels impact health—though they may have something to do with a chronic disease like diabetes or heart disease.

A look at how our environment works against us

Our food industry has figured out how to trick us into thinking unhealthy foods are healthy. Take breakfast cereal, for example. How many times have you heard, Well it’s just one bowl! or It’s cereal? The problem is that once you start down that path of eating a little of something that isn’t good for you, most people can’t stop themselves from continuing on their way to an unhealthy meal. No wonder we spend more money on healthcare than any other developed nation in the world; food-related illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and obesity drive much of that spending. Change begins with education. By understanding why we eat poorly, we can take action against our environment to stay healthy.

Finding out what social media has to do with it

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are credited with helping spread poor food choices around the world. People connect on social media with people they know in real life, including family members and friends. As a result, they’re more likely to talk about their diets or take photos of meals to share online. And when someone says, Dude! You have got to try these Krispy Kreme doughnuts! via text or a quick post on Facebook, it can be hard for someone not to accept that invitation.

How cooking at home can help fight obesity

One of my favourite findings from Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign is how eating meals prepared at home helps fight obesity. Studies have shown that kids who cook with their parents are less likely to eat fast food than kids who don’t, and adults tend to watch their weight more closely when they prepare their meals, too. As more people rely on packaged foods, portion sizes have increased dramatically in recent years—and while it's tempting to tell yourself you can stop after one serving, that small bag of chips may not be so small after all. If you want a smaller waistline in 2013, try cooking more at home; your health will thank you for it.

How obesity cost businesses $147 billion in 2018 (and how to beat it)

America’s obesity epidemic costs businesses nearly $147 billion each year, according to a new study from health care provider UnitedHealth Group. Obesity is associated with greater rates of disease—and because some conditions are more common among obese Americans, employers incur higher medical bills from their workforce. The 2018 National Business Health Care Survey found that 54 per cent of employers report that they spent between 1 and 10 per cent of payroll on health care for employees in 2018; 33 per cent paid 11 to 20 per cent of payroll for health care. Nearly one-quarter—23 per cent—spent 21 to 30 per cent on employee healthcare costs in 2018, while 7 per cent said they contributed 31 to 40 per cent or more.

Tricks for losing weight without pain

Eating less is just one way to lose weight. There are other ways, too. Some people make small changes in what they eat, such as drinking more water or walking more each day. Others make big changes in their eating habits, such as counting calories or going on a strict diet like Atkins. Any of these techniques can help you lose weight if you use them correctly over time. If you try to get results too quickly, however, you might gain it back when you stop your efforts; in fact, research suggests that yo-yo dieting (losing and gaining weight repeatedly) maybe even worse for your health than staying overweight!

Portion Size vs Healthy Eating Habits by State

Everyone knows that eating less is one of the best ways to lose weight, but only a few do it. The average portion size has gotten larger in recent years, despite a growing awareness of America.

"Health Products"