The average American watches three and a half hours of television every day. That adds up to 56 days of channel surfing per year. By the age of 65, over nine years will have been spent in front of the small screen!
In addition, from 1991 to 1999, participation in physical education (P.E.) in schools dropped from 42 percent to 29 percent. Since it is not a required part of the curriculum in most schools, kids basically opt not to be involved. (In only one state in the U.S. is P.E. a mandatory part of the curriculum.)
Nearly one-third of children ages 4 to 19 eat fast food every day, and over 15% in that age group are obese. In order to become slim, thousands of U.S. teens become bulimic or anorexic, or undergo a procedure known as gastric bypass.
Also known as “obesity surgery,” this procedure involves getting their stomach stapled in order to restrict the food intake. As a result, they eat less and lose weight. Yet, a host of other problems develop.
One such problem involves deterioration of the stomach lining. Also, the staples sometimes come apart, causing tears and leaks. And, due to the stomach’s poor absorption, nutrient deficiencies can occur. Is this the only way in which overweight, out-of-shape people can become healthy? Is there any alternative? Yes! And that alternative is exercise!