Why Americans Are So Fat

Of course that’s the million-dollar question. And one with which thousands of fine scientific minds are undoubtedly grappling.

Actually, there's a very simple answer to why 65% of the population is overweight. We eat more. A lot more.

Every day, the U.S. food supply provides 3,800 calories to each person. Even if you take waste into account, the average American consumes 2,700 calories daily, which is 500 calories more than we were getting in 1970, and about the right amount for a twenty-five-year old, six foot two, 160-pound man who exercises 3 to 5 times a week. That’s lot more energy than the average American can burn.

For more detailed information on what your nation is eating, check out what the USDA has to say.