America has a consumption problem

America has a consumption problem.

We eat too much, drink too much, and we don’t get enough exercise.

I’ll focus on the consumption problem, as that is the primary culprit in our obesity epidemic.

The average height for a man in the US is 5’9″

The average weight for a man in the US is 200 pounds.

For a man that is 55, 5’9″ and 200 pounds, and who does moderate exercise 3 days per week, they only need to consume about 2,400 to 2,500 calories per day to maintain their weight.

In 1960, the average male weight 166 pounds.

Meanwhile the CDC estimates that the average American adult consumes 3,800 calories per day.

Therein lies the problem.

Unfortunately, many people want to blame this on the quality of food we are eating.

Yes, the quality of food is pretty bad.

We are eating too much fast-food and we buy too many processed foods from the grocery store.

However, we have a culture that constantly uses food and drink as part of our celebrations.

And, we seem to find something to celebrate all the time.

Having a birthday?  Celebrate.

Getting married?   Celebrate.

On vacation?  Celebrate.

Dog is having a birthday?  Celebrate.

It’s Friday.  Celebrate.

And, how do we celebrate?

Quite often with food and alcohol.

Not a day goes without seeing a post on social media involving food or drink.  I’ve done it myself when I’ve had a fabulous meal.

I get it.

Many of us also have a lot of stress in our lives, and we need an outlet.

Thus, many people consume food and drink to relieve some stress.

But this has led to a massive problem.

The obesity epidemic.

The obesity rate of people 40-59 is over 45%, and it’s about the same for men and women.

And obesity is highly correlated to higher instances of cardiovascular risk, stroke, diabetes and even certain cancers.

Big pharma has recognized the problem and has flooded the market with drugs to help lose weight.

These drugs have the effect of suppressing hunger.

However, when people stop taking them, that hunger returns.

The drug does not get rid of the stress in our lives, nor the culture of celebrating everything under the sun.

The only way for an individual to solve this problem for themselves is to make lifestyle changes.

Learn how to reduce the stress in your lives, exercise more, and consume less.

Now, get to work!