What are some of the causes of obesity in America?

It is true according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that obesity is a big problem in America (pun intended). According to the CDC, it is an "Obesity Epidemic" in the US:

"More than one third of U.S. adults-more than 72 million people-and 16% of U.S. children are obese. Since 1980, obesity rates for adults have doubled and rates for children have tripled. Obesity rates among all groups in society-irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographic region-have increased markedly."

Some information and studies are suggesting that for a limited percentage of people, obesity could be caused by a metabolic syndrome, genetic propensity, and certain illnesses; but here are a few reasons why obesity is becoming more common and creating a health issue in America:

• Eating deep fried foods and making other high calorie food choices (e.g., fast food).
  

• Consumption of foods that are in large portions and not nutritionally balanced.
  
  
• Making choices of meals made of foods that are mostly simple carbohydrates (white bread, potatoes, pasta, sweets) instead of complex carbohydrates (e.g., fruits and vegetables), lean proteins, and "good oils" (e.g., olive oil, walnut oil, avocado, almonds).
  

• Inactivity, instead of exercising (e.g., doing too much 'screen time', TV, computer games, etc).
  
  
• American restaurants serve portions that are way too large. Which came first the large portions or the expectation of large portions? Whichever, there is a skewed American perception of proper serving sizes, so the restaurants continue to try to provide large portions to meet the expectations and vice versa, and it has become a vicious cycle.
  
  
• Stress from joblessness and economic problems, depression, poor anger control, and other psychosocial problems lead to searches for "comfort food".
  
  

There is no magic cure for obesity, but the best approach is to change your diet and increase your physical activity.