Thursday, September 20, 2007

Why eating healthy is so important

Colorado is one of the more health-conscious places, and looking around, it is rare to see someone grossly obese. I mistakingly thought that the high levels of obeseity were finally falling, but I was wrong.

According to the article, "Fighting Obesity: The Role of Behavior, Biology and Bad Choices," written by Martica Heaner, obese means having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher. Because just a scale cannot accurately measure fat and muscle together, the BMI takes your height and weight into consideration.

According to this study done by Centers for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which you can also find on MSN, Colorado is one of the states with the lowest levels of obeseity. Colorado had an obesity prevalence of around 18.9%, which is lower than most out there.

Our bodies store fat in situations that we can't eat. It is pretty common knowledge that food and calories equal energy, but having too much calories can add up.

"Since the body is hardwired to be thrifty, it keeps on doing what it does best—storing all the extra calories that you consume," wrote Heaner.

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