by Mindy Carson

Created on: May 04, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over two-thirds of the population of the United States are currently overweight or obese. Despite the billions of dollars American spend every year trying to get thin using exercise products or programs, people are getting fatter and fatter. So what is the reason for the problem, and how can it be managed?

Busy lifestyles are partly to blame. Now this must seem counterintuitive, right? If a person is busy, surely they are getting lots of exercise? That simply isn't the case. The average person gets up early in the morning to get ready for work, gets the kids ready too, takes the kids to daycare or school, then goes to work, picks up the kids later, goes home, makes dinner, does the dishes, gets the kids ready for bed and then falls into bed exhausted by the end of the day. People are too tired to find the time for exercise.

Leading a busy lifestyle also contributes to unhealthy eating. Often the lure of fast food can be so tempting because it is timesaving to buy something that is already cooked than to have to go home and cook it in one's own kitchen. If this wasn't true, then places like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Fazoli's, Panda Express, etc. would have gone out of business a long time ago. The food is tasty, cheap and convenient, but sadly not always healthy or nourishing depending on what is ordered.

Unfortunately, kids are not immune to the problem of obesity. The most obvious reason is a lack of outdoor play, a major contributor of exercise in a child's day. Kids in school are lucky to get a little bit of recess and P.E. At home, the trend seems to be for kids to play video games or watch channels like Nickelodeon, Disney or Cartoon Network. And when kids are watching television, not only are they not exercising, they are also facing the temptation of mindless snacking.

To combat the problem of obesity, people have to take a proactive stance. A formal diet isn't necessarily the key, but changing one's diet from junk food to healthier choices is a good start. For example, if a person really likes eating cheese puffs, why not change to cheddar cheese rice cakes instead? If a person likes to eat a bowl of ice cream at night, they could change to eating a bowl of applesauce. Many people consume way too many calories from their beverages. Switching to water or calorie free drinks can make a huge difference. A simple way to evaluate how many calories are being consumed is to keep a food journal for a week. By doing so, it is easy to see where changes could be made.

Obviously, people must exercise in order to really control their weight. The health benefits of exercise go way beyond just weight loss. According the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise also improves mood, combats chronic diseases, strengthens your heart and lungs, promotes better sleep, and has a positive effect on a person's sex life. Families can exercise together by taking a walk around their neighborhood, playing Wii Fit, or going for a bike ride. People who work can walk around their office parking lot, for example, during their breaks. Exercise can be incorporated into one's daily routine; even a simple walk can be beneficial.

Making these simple changes won't lead to immediate, dramatic weight loss. However, overtime, they can cause a person to lose weight, gain energy and lead a much healthier lifestyle.

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