If the obesity trend continues among people in the U.S., it looks like by the
year 2008, 39% of Americans will be obese. To illustrate the growing numbers of
those affected: In 1988, 23% of the population was considered obese; by 1994,
that figure was up to 31%.

What’s the problem here? As one expert put it, it’s “the energy gap.” We’re
basically consuming too many calories and not burning enough of them through
exercise. That’s why over the course of 8 years most Americans gain an average
of 15 pounds. That works out to just about 2 pounds per year.

A pound of body weight is equal to approximately 3,500 calories. Researchers
believe that most people are taking in an extra 50 calories per day?and that at
least 50 of every extra 100 calories consumed end up being stored as fat. Of
course, one way to take care of that would be to step up the pace?literally. We
could all walk an extra mile per day, which adds 2,500 or so steps to our daily
travels.

Another option is simply to cut out a cookie. If the average cookie contains
100 calories, eating one less means consuming 100 fewer calories. That’s
certainly achievable. And that, say the experts, would be enough to help stop
weight gain (although not enough to bring about weight loss) and help close the
energy gap.