Windy City Becomes Fat City

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Windy City Becomes Fat City

Author: Klopf

Posted On: Friday, January 06, 2006

Rockford--Illinois is fat. At least according to the annual survey

by Men's Fitness Magazine. It ranks Chicago as the fattest city.

Plus, the Centers for Disease Control says six out of ten

Illinoisans are so overweight their health is in danger. Doctors

call it a dangerous situation.

The Men's Fitness survey is unscientific. But one dietician at

SwedishAmerican Hospital says this should be a red flag. Shirley

Poole says, " We all need to be concerned about where obesity is,

whether it's a study like this or a study that has a lot of

scientific background because a majority of Americans are

overweight. "

Poole says you don't have to count calories to help you lose weight.

Instead, use your fist as a portion size. " If you have two fist size

portions of vegetables on your plate that would take up about half

your plate and you would feel fuller and have less calories in. "

Poole adds the two biggest factors to reducing obesity are diet and

exercise. The YMCA's Senior Director of Health and Fitness agrees,

saying people need to start moving. Lynne Istad says, " Take the

stairs. Don't take the elevator. Park as far out from your door as

you possibly can. Little things like that can make a huge

difference. "

Poole says Americans have help. The USDA's website helps you

customize a food pyramid of what you should be eating. It doesn't

replace a dietician but gives a good starting point.