Americans Getting Bigger

According to a recent study by the Trust for America’s Health, obesity rates in the Unites States have risen to unprecedented levels. Combined data taken from 2007 to 2009 shows that about thirty-eight states have obesity rates higher than 25 percent. In 1991 not one state had obesity rates higher than 20 percent. Mississippi has the highest obesity rates in adults at 33.8 percent. Colorado scores the lowest at 19.1 percent.

A healthy diet and exercise can greatly reduce obesity rates. In fact, 75 percent of Americans consume less than two servings of fruit per day and 50 percent consume less than three servings of vegetables per day. And there is a correlation between eating fruits and vegetables and healthy living. Ten out of ten states with the highest obesity rates also have the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption. It’s all about making it easier to choose to be healthy the report says. Policies and programs need to focus on: improving access and making healthy foods cheaper; making it easier and more affordable to exercise; and improving obesity-prevention health care.

What does this have to do with the environment?

The study focuses on something called, “active travel.” It essentially lays out an action plan to make it easier for people to walk, bike, and use public transportation to get around town. And as you know, opting for public transit, biking, or walking is a great way to reduce your environmental impact.

It also focuses on healthy eating being more affordable which translates into local seasonal produce as the most viable option. Local seasonal produce is not only better for you but it also does not incur those hefty carbon dioxide emissions generated from international transportation.

Source: F as in Fat

Bicycle Safety

Most countries, cities, and towns are pushing for more bicyclists to get back on the road. Bicycling helps to alleviate traffic congestion, improves air quality by not adding to tailpipe emissions, and promotes healthy living.

So why aren’t more people braving the streets in cycle gear?

Slate’s Tom Vanderbilt says that the safer bicycling is viewed, the more people will join the club. He says that bike paths should be separated from vehicle traffic and made into their own roadways and highways.

Source: Slate