Issue 21 - May 13, 2010

In This Issue:

• 2010 Fitness Census

• Fit Tips

2010 Fitness Census

I want to share with you some information I picked up at the Gold's Gym I belong to. It's the results of a "fitness census" that Gold's Gym and Health.com conducted to complement the U.S. Census.

Here are 10 things that the fitness census revealed:

1. Two out of three American adults are overweight or obese.

2. One out of four American children is overweight or obese.

3. In 2000, there was one state in which more than 25% of the population was obese. In 2008, there were 32 states with more than 25% obesity.

4. For the first time in 60 years, the average life expectancy of Americans born today may be less than their parents.

5. There have been an estimated 8 million new cases of diabetes since the year 2000.

6. Since 2000, the amount of fat the average American consumes has increased by 180 grams (the equivalent of two sticks of butter) per week. That's an extra 20 pounds of fat per year.

7. The average American consumes nearly 3,500 milligrams of sodium every day. That's about 1.5 pounds per year over the recommended limit.

8. Fast food sales are up 15% in the past five years.

9. In the past 10 years, the number of gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries shot up nearly 600%.

10. 25% of America's pets are overweight

Those are some pretty grim statistics, but the fitness census did reveal some good news. Since 2000, the number of overweight and obese children has stopped climbing, the percentage of adults who say they exercise regularly is up 5%, and more people than ever belong to health clubs.

I'm hoping that 10 years from now, there will be a lot more positive statistics when it comes to America's health and fitness.

Fit Tips

• Recent studies have found that stretching can lower blood pressure and improve artery function.

• 50% is the percentage of increased fat burning during a workout after a breakfast of whole grains and fruit compared to a breakfast of refined carbs, according to research from the University of Nottingham (U.K.).

• Along with containing lots of added sugar, dried fruits lose much of their vitamin C.