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November 28, 2005
Americans eat more food than ever.
Americans today are living in a very fat land.
Government economists say that not only is there more food available for the American diet than they have ever recorded, but Americans are also eating more each year.
The amount of food available for Americans to eat has increased 16 percent over the last 35 years, from 1,675 pounds in 1970 to 1,950 pounds in 2003. That translates to about 2,757 calories per person each day -- about 500 daily calories more than was available for consumption in 1970, the Department of Agriculture says.
The increases in food production have coincided with a period where Americans are getting heavier -- and taller, too.
The average adult male today weighs 191 pounds today, compared with 166 pounds in 1960, and is 1 1/2 inches taller, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average female weighs 164 pounds today, compared with 140 pounds in 1960, and is 1 inch taller.
Obesity rates have also increased and are two times higher than in the 1960s.
Posted by Lisa at November 28, 2005 09:50 AM
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