A fellow hubber wrote a good hub on America's Obesity Epidemic.  Since, in a previous life, I have written somewhat extensively on the subject I figured I would chime in with my angle.  I agree that what we eat is largely to blame.  The empty calories, the junk food, stuff in boxes, processed crap, fast food, and endless ingredients that we don't need in our food (salt, hydrogenated oils, corn syrup) - all of these things play a key role in helping fuel the statistic that two-thirds of Americans are either obese or overweight.  Diet is a key culprit in America's Obesity Epidemic as Mighty Mom explained.  I do believe, though, that there is more to the story.

I hate formal exercise. In other words, I don't like going to the gym or setting out just to have a run or a jog. Exercise for exercise sake bores me. And even if I liked it I probably do not have the time to fall into a meaningful exercise routine. Despite the fact that I don't necessarily exercise as a formal activity, I get more exercise than most people who go to the gym or pound the pavement in tights or running shorts.

In car-dependent Los Angeles, I do not own a car. Most of the time I bike to the places I need to go. And I bike hard! On a bicycle with one gear. I don't take my time; rather I bust it to get there... wherever there is. For example, this morning I had to go from my house near Hollywood to Downtown LA - about 5.5 miles - from there I had to be back in Hollywood just past - another 6 miles or so. All tallied, I rode over 12 miles today... hard!

With the exception of one other person in my group of 18 or so... and from my rough count only a handful of hundreds, I was the only person to use my bike for this morning's purpose. When I have to go into the office of the company I work for, I bike. Each day I do that is another 15-16 miles of riding. Free time - I ride somewhere to do errands, eat lunch, or just relax - hard and fast and usually 5, 10, or more miles. I bike for primarily utilitarian purposes, but also as part of my (feeble) attempts to relax by seeing this city.

Most people can work a bicycle (or even brisk walking) into their daily routines. Surely some simply can't due to crappy logistics, but there's an age old statistics that us urban planning geeks know - about 80% of trips taken in America are less than two miles long. These trips, and so many others, can be taken by bike (or foot). It's laziness or an excuse that prohibits people from using their own power as opposed to the mechanical power of four wheels to get around.

I see it all of the time in Los Angeles. People who live close enough to leave the car at home, but are so conditioned to thinking that the only real, viable way to get somewhere is to do it by private motor vehicle. It's no wonder that I get weird looks, when people see me motoring through traffic on my person-powered ride! If only we shifted our mindset as a nation and worked physical activity into our daily routines, we could help lick America's Obesity Epidemic!

There is lots of academic literature out there (I even authored one of the articles) that shows a connection between how much people weigh and the type of neighborhood they live in.  While I think the issue is to complex to put all of one's eggs in one basket, I do think there is something to be said for making neighborhoods conducive to getting around by using something other than a car.  It's a pretty simply idea that if you walk or bike every day (or every other day) instead of driving you are exerting yourself physically.  It might not be a panacea, but it is certainly better than doing nothing.

Some people are reluctant to get on a bike due to safety concerns.  I think this is an excuse.  It's like anything else - you can be safe when you ride if you think strategically.  Some people claim they can't carry all of their stuff on a bike.  Others claim they will be too sweaty.  These are potentially legitimate reasons.  Often, though, they are excuses.  I am not going to spell out the obvious, but think about it, there are ways around these things for many of us.  And if not, you can do something about it.  The more people out riding (or walking) the more aware drivers become of us and the safer it can become.  Increasingly employers are helping employees facilitate a bike journey to work.  Talk to HR... see what they can do.  Pitch it as a cost-cutting move during this recession!

All I know is this... I pass a lot of hot girls in fancy cars in Los Angeles who spend tons of time in the gym.  It's satisfying to get the good eye from them as I buzz by on my bike.  And while I am not the slimmest guy in the world, I see a few hefty folks in their cars as well... and that heft could be shed if they traded the car for a bike at least a few days out of the week!  It's not for all of us, but it can be for some of us!