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 The U.S. CDC reports that Americans are eating more than ever before. And most of this increase in calorie consumption comes from carbs.
The report, in the Feb. 6 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, paints a picture of excess. In 1999-2000, American calorie consumption was significantly greater than in 1971-1974:
- American men increased their total calories from 2,450 to 2,618 per day.
- American women increased their total calories from 1,542 to 1,877 per day.
- Carbs made up 49% of men's total calories and 51.6% of women's calories.
- The percentage of calories from fat went down.
"The increase in energy intake is attributable primarily to an increase in carbohydrate intake, with a 62.4-gram increase among women and a 67.7-gram increase among men," the CDC report notes.
Where are we getting all these carbs? The CDC says we get them:
- From eating out
- From eating more salty snacks
- From drinking more soft drinks
- From eating more pizza
- From eating larger portions
Meanwhile, a second MMWR report shows that one in four Americans gets zero leisure time exercise. This number is actually an improvement: In 1989, one in three of us were couch potatoes.
Source: WebMD.com Medical News
Image provided by: www.brandon.fuller.name
Authors: Daniel DeNoon |
