The latest hit movie, Wall-E, portrays the future human race as being overweight and sedentary. In reality, the latest study from Johns Hopkins on obesity shows that by 2030, 9 out of 10 Americans will be overweight. The Center for Disease Control provides statistics from 1985 to 2007 for the increase of obesity. An average of 27% increase in obesity was nationwide during these years, with Colorado having the lowest rate of obesity in the nation. This 27% increase in obesity has also had a major impact on the overall health of Americans.

Obesity has not only increased among adults but among children too. The years 2003 to 2006 showed a rate of 16.3% of obesity and children aged 2 to 17. Type 2 diabetes has also increased nationally and has become associated with the growing rate of obesity, according to the CDC. But diabetes type 2 is not the only health concern for overweight people. Heart disease, high blood pressure, sleeping disorders, bone joint disorders are consequences of obesity in Americans. So, how did Americans get to be so overweight to begin with?

Much of the obesity increase among Americans has to do with lifestyle. Eating fast food every day, an increased sedentary lifestyle, less exercise has all contributed to the growing obesity problem in America. Video games seem to hold more attention than bicycling, walking, or jogging does. The more calories that are increased and fewer burned off through physical movement adds on the pounds quickly.

Fast food restaurants play a large role in the obesity epidemic. Your average fast food meal has now become supersized, and restaurants like Applebee’s and TGIF’s serve portions big enough to feed an army. The larger portions may be economical for the restaurants and food providers – it makes them a bigger profit – but it has not benefited Americans on the whole. The increased use of video games, computers, chat rooms, cell phone texting, cable television “couch potatoes” and lack of real exercise contribute to obesity. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that will make it illegal for any restaurant to have foods containing trans fats in 2010.

Finally, education is the primary key in preventing obesity. Nutritional information of fast food is available through company websites like McDonalds and Burger King. A daily exercise routine can prevent obesity in the long run. Spend less time on the computer and video game console, and sitting in front of the television, and take advantage of the nice weather for exercising. If you are trying to lose weight, walking is the easiest exercise to start with, gradually moving into other exercises like running, bicycling, dancing, or weight lifting.

Instead of eating fast food three times a day, home cooked meals are the best way to go. If you do find yourself eating at a nice restaurant with friends and family and you discover you cannot finish your meal, request a take home box for the remains and have the leftovers for the next few days. Becoming a physically fit America is better for the nation’s future than looking like characters from Wall-E.