AMERICA IS 'F AS IN FAT': HOW TO STAY HEALTHY THIS SUMMER

July 8, 2011
by Katie Leavitt
MTV

A new report out Thursday, appropriately titled "F as in Fat," revealed that obesity in America is not just spreading our waistlines, but also Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. According to the LA Times, 20 years ago no state had an obesity rate over 15 percent. Now all 50 do.

Most of us are aware of America's increase on the scale, but the weight tends to creep up year by year. It's only through studying data from decades ago that we can see just how many notches the country has had to loosen on its belt.

The study confirms that obesity does seem to affect less educated and poorer communities more. This comes as no surprise because income obviously changes the way people buy food. Unhealthy options are often cheap because they are comprised of ingredients that are subsidized by the government. What would happen if the government stepped in to make healthy foods become more affordable rather than making the harmful ones more accessible?

Regardless of what is put on the shelves, though, we all have control of what goes into our mouths and how much exercise we get. Summertime is perfect for getting active and eating fresh produce. Even cookouts can be healthy.

So get your groove on. Dance, run, surf, hit up an outdoor yoga class, just go outside andget sweaty...but don't forget the water. Then fill up on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

Perhaps the next study that comes out will be "F as in Fabulous"!

View the full story (some sites require registration)