For several decades, the United States has been stereotyped as a nation that continually indulges in fast food and promotes a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, this assumption has proven true for a large portion of the American population. In contrast, European countries have taken various political, legal and social measures to avoid the disastrous health consequences associated with faulty diet and nutrition. The health of the American population has been in decline for many years; however, following the European model, many measures should be taken to protect food consumers at home and in public and to promote healthy eating among the population. Although most Americans are undoubtedly aware of weight-related health issues nationwide, most are not. We won't be able to understand the scale of this epidemic until hard numbers are presented – and those numbers are daunting. While in 1960 this figure was 45%, by 2008, 68% of American adults were overweight and half of those who were overweight had already reached obesity. In his article Beating Obesity, Marc Ambinder stated that “in 2010, we are still the fattest developed country in the world, with an obesity rate more than double that of many European countries. » In July 2011, Annie Summers published an article in which statistics showed 79% of the entire U.S. population, not just adults, was overweight or obese. Although statistics vary, it is clear that the number of Americans falling into the overweight category is increasing rapidly and causing many health problems. Companies in many different categories have often focused on promoting weight loss, but over the past decade, various organizations have stepped up...... middle of paper ......ue to perpetuate these healthy values. Works Cited Abend, Lisa. “Beat the butter: Denmark imposes world's first fat tax.” » World of time. Np, October 2011. Web. March 9, 2012. Ambinder, Marc. “Overcoming obesity.” Atlantic Monthly Vol. 305, no. 4. May 2010: 72+. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. March 8, 2012. Carollo, Kim. “No more food pyramid: the nutritional icon is now a plate.” ABC News. Np, June 2, 2011. Web. March 21, 2012. Joseph, Stephen. Ban trans fats. Ed. Stéphane Joseph. NP, 2003. Web. March 15, 2012. Stewart, Hayden et al. "Let's eat out: Americans weigh taste, convenience and nutrition." Let's eat out: Americans weigh taste, convenience and nutrition. October 2006: iii-10. SIRS Government Reporter. Internet. March 8, 2012.Summers, Annie. “Obesity in America Compared to Other Countries.” Livestrong. Lance Armstrong Foundation, July 4, 2011. Web. March 14. 2012.