We speak of it as though it’s a new viral strain sweeping the country. Obesity in America has risen over 15% in the last 20 years, but it’s been on the rise many years prior. A disease is considered an epidemic when it drastically exceeds what is expected.  If more than 60% of adult Americans are labeled over weight, then what is expected? Obesity appears to be more common than not. If the charts continue to rise, the entitlement to be identified as an epidemic will be eliminated. Obesity will regress from a viral stain to the common cold!

For the mean time, we’ll label obesity in America as an epidemic in high hopes that Americans will begin to fear this proliferating disease. Let’s take a look at the statistics to help you envision the reality of this epidemic.

According to the American Sports Data Research Reports, the IHRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report documents 3.8 million Americans top the scales at 300 pounds and up. Worse yet, 400,000 Americans (more men than women) weight in at 400 + pounds. Oh it gets better. Some of you reading this may not like this statistic, but its reality. Since the start of the 21^st century, the average every day women weights in at an astonishing 163 pounds! We’re talking average here, not over weight or tremendously tall women; just average.

But who’s to blame for such drastic numbers? Is it the fast food restaurants in our country? Should we blame the drive thru? We know what we're getting into when we bite down on the big Mac or inhale that large fry. We know it's not the healthiest choice for lunch. Can we really say that we’re not responsible for the fat on our own bodies! How can we point the finger at the fast food industry or any food industry for that matter?

Most of us are aware that fast food restaurants yield higher fats per serving along with more saturated fats (the unhealthy fats). But the key principle we’re all missing is that we have the freedom to choose. We can choose not to super size our meals, or to order a grilled chicken sandwich in place of a quarter pounder with cheese.

We can blame our fast paced life styles, then turn our finger again to the fast food industry for providing the convenient drive thur. Once again, we’re not responsible for what we choose to deposit in our bodies. With our hectic lives, there’s no time for planning nutritional meals. That might decrease the amount of time we have sitting on the couch at night.

Here’s a solution for those of you too busy to eat healthy. Take ten minutes while you sit on the couch in front of your TV and plan out your new, healthy meals. Those ten minutes will have you in and out of the grocery store within 20 minutes. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to whip up something healthy. Don’t worry if your kids object. You are responsible for what you feed into your body as well as your families.

Don’t allow obesity to spread in your home. Take responsibility and change your life style.