CDC study finds people continue to supersize diets

William Atkins
Sunday, 08 April 2007 18:42

Science - Health

Within the study, over 356,000 people were interviewed. The results show that only one in seven adults regularly exercise in such modest forms as bicycling, brisk walking, gardening, or other activities that cause small, but positive, increases in breathing and heart rate. Experts recommend at least five such modest activities be performed each week for 30 minutes or more, or three vigorous activities (such as running or aerobics to provide a large increase in breathing and heart rate) each week for 20 minutes or more. Such moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity exercise is recommended by U.S. federal government health experts.

In addition, the study found that this same percentage of people, only about 14% of U.S. adults eat at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, the minimum number of servings considered a healthy lifestyle according to U.S. dietary guidelines. Women of all ethnic backgrounds ate more fruits and vegetables than do men of similar ethnic backgrounds.

Researchers in the study also declared that subjects overstated their good behaviors and understated their bad behaviors. Such reporting could mean that men and women in the United States are even worse off than what the study found.

The findings parallel other medical studies that show dramatic and alarming rates of obesity in the United States, along with a very sedentary lifestyle and diets full of sugars and fats. Government experts declare that being overweight or obese can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, cancers, and other serious problems.

In other words, supersizing diets with fats and sugars led to supersized problems!