Americas Diet

   Today in my class section, Kinesiology 173: Foundation of Kinesiology, I learned that Americans spend over $33 billion annually on weight loss products and services. An estimated 50 million Americans go on diets each year, yet only 5% of these people manage to keep any weight loss for longer than 6 months. Upon learning that information, I am not to surprised. However, one has to ponder what the reason for this common failure to keep up with desired weight loss.   I believe it to be due to the way we have been raised as a nation collectively. Between, 1970 to 2001, the number of fast-food outlets in the U.S increased from about 30,000 to 222,000 and sales increased by about 500%. In 2003, only 20% of high school seniors reported eating Green Vegetables "nearly every day or more". "Eating patterns and preferences are formed in the early years of life." (Nestle)
     Along with these poor dieting adaptions, 60% of children 9-13 do not participate in any kind of organized sport of physical activity program outside of school. 
     No wonder no one can seem to maintain any weight loss! These companies producing these diet programs only care about one thing, you're money. Therefore they are not worried about you're long term maintenance, their worried about you purchasing their product. In order to maintain weight loss you must obtain a proportionate energy balance. Due to the way we our shaping the food industry in the U.S it is almost impossible for people, besides that 5%, to follow a healthy diet.