America: Eating More, Enjoying Less

The Pew Research Center recently published a report of interest to the ever-widening waistlines of America.

The report, "Eating More; Enjoying Less," shows that Americans don't enjoy eating as much as they used to. The survey indicates that while 48% of Americans enjoyed eating "a great deal" in 1989, that number has now decreased to a paltry 39%. Meanwhile, the percentage of the population categorized as "obese" by the government's Body Mass Index classification system increased to 32% from 23% between 1994 and 2006. Another third of the population is overweight." (Interestingly, the number of people who enjoy cooking has not decreased-- although the gender split has evened out a bit, with a greater percentage of men enjoying cooking now than in 1989.)

So, let me get this straight. The majority of Americans are now overweight or obese. But only a minority of Americans actually enjoy the food that contributes to this sad state of affairs? That's pretty disturbing. And it speaks to the need for for a real dietary turn-around in this counry--one that will get people enjoying wholesome meals so they don't have to binge on fries and Snickers bars anymore.