Health starts in the kitchen |
 Between 2010 and 2019, 28% of Americans reported that they weighed over 200 pounds—a four percent increase from the previous decade [1]. Even with these staggering statistics, fewer Americans now consider themselves overweight or obese. Additionally, fewer adults hope to lose weight than in previous decades, demonstrating an overall social complacency when it comes to personal health. Although the causes for changes in these statistics—as well as for individuals being overweight or obese—are complicated, the statistics reflect the wide-ranging impact of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. In fact, more than 70% of U.S. adults are currently overweight or obese. As mentioned previously, a range of factors contribute to individuals becoming overweight or obese, including genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors. But one contributor to these numbers is not like the others: culture. Cheap and highly-processed food is readily available in the U.S. compared to other countries, and urban areas in the U.S. are designed for cars, rather bikes or pedestrians. So, in the U.S. a condition that has a wide range of other contributing factors can be significantly exacerbated by U.S. culture surrounding diet and activity. So, overall health is affected by a combination of genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle habits but is also a matter of culture and personal choice. Given these statistics, it seems that even individuals who have the ability to take ownership of their health are avoiding taking these steps, which is partially a function of living in a culture that fuels this complacency and promotes convenient food and a sedentary lifestyle. 
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 If you’ve been feeling a cold coming on and aren’t quite sure what’s causing it, consider looking to your stress levels. You might not realize it, but excess stress levels can suppress the function of your immune system, increasing the risk of you getting sick—especially during cold and flu season.1 Highlighted below is an overview of how high levels of stress can contribute to illness, as well as what you can do to keep yourself as relaxed and healthy as possible.  |