America is in great need to shape up, says Medical University of South Carolina’s Dr. Dana King, author of a behavioral risk factor survey released in the June 2009 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
King says, “Over the last 18 years, our adherence to healthy lifestyles in the U.S. has gotten worse in most areas. We’re not eating fruits and vegetables as regularly, we’re not exercising as much and our rate of obesity and overweight has declined [sic] since 1988,” says King.
Some reasons why:
“We’re not sure exactly. One thought is that our lives are becoming more hectic, busier, with technology, with jobs, commuting. We just don’t have the time and we don’t have as many home-cooked meals, and home-cooked meals tend to be more balanced and healthier,” says King.
As for South Carolina, compared to the rest of the nation:
“South Carolina is worst than average compared to other states, especially on rates of obesity, rates of smoking and regular physical activity,” says King.
King says it could just be a “Southern thing,” but the food most Southerners eat tend to be a little more greasy and unhealthy, but not in every case. The survey has alarmed researchers because in the U.S., medical costs due to physical inactivity average around $76 billion.