"If you wanted to make money by writing a self-improvement book for Americans, what topic would you choose??"
I would write a self-improvement book on nutrition, exercise, and weight loss.I think this is a very important and relevant topic in today's modern society. According to Wikipedia, obesity rates in the United States are higher than any other in the world. It is estimated that by 2020, more than 3/4 of the American population will either be overweight or obese. It has become a very serious issue, with a large portion of the population(100,000-400,000) dying from it each year.
Some factors that have contributed greatly to obesity are a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. The majority of Americans have office jobs, which involve sitting at a computer/desk for most of their work day.They also spend a lot of their free time involved in watching television, playing video games, reading, and computer use. They aren't forced to get exercise in their commute to work either, because of the heavy reliance on cars for transportation.
It is well-known that there are many benefits of physical exercise and an active lifestyle. It helps to decrease the risk of cancer and diabetes, increases your life span, and improves your mental health and mood. In addition, it plays a big role in maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening your bones and muscles. Because of the extreme lack of physical exercise, Americans are far more prone to sickness and disease. This isn't even mentioning the fact that they feel tired and sluggish all the time, because of their poor lifestyle choices.
Of course, the food that people consume also controls their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Fast food has put obesity on a sharp incline, especially as one-third of children(ages 4-19) eat it every single day! High-calorie and high-fat foods, such as the burgers and fries offered at these establishments are very detrimental to one's fitness. It's also worth noting that soda and other sweet drinks can cause weight gain in people. Drinking water is the effective and proper way to stay hydrated, as it has zero calories and has beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Many types of soda on the other hand, contain caffeine(a diuretic) which leaves someone dehydrated the more they drink. Soda also has a high amount of sugar, in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Obviously this isn't a good thing for people to be ingesting on a regular basis. Sugar has been shown to cause a number of issues including: weight gain, obesity, elevated blood sugar, and and high blood sugar. It's also because of soda that a growing percentage of children are diabetic and suffer from blood-sugar problems.
It's astounding the dramatic difference Americans could have in their health, if they would simply make some small changes. If they would just increment some form of exercise in their lives, they would see a drastic change in their overall health and well-being. It's also easier to avoid fast food, if families would eat food at home together more often. There are plenty of delicious, healthy alternatives to enjoy, without the added carbs, calories, and fat. A number of companies make frozen meals, snacks, and soups that are quick but also nourishing.
There is an abundance of choices exercise-wise to pick from, many of which are not only effective but fun. Pilates, yoga, spin and dance classes are available to anyone who wishes to take them, as well as DVD workouts to do at home.
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