The July 20 New Yorker has a great article by Elizabeth Kolbert called “XXXL.” It’s actually a review of books about obesity and over-eating. Here are some interesting tidbits:

• Three National Health studies done in the 1960s and 1970s showed that the number of overweight Americans was around 25%. It nudged up slightly with each survey. But in a study in the 1980s, the figure shot up to 33%. 
• Today, men average 17 pounds heavier than in the 1970s. For women: 19 pounds heavier. The number of overweight children (ages 6-11) has doubled, and the number of overweight teens has tripled. 
• The typical revolving door has increased from 10 feet to 12 feet, to accommodate obese people. 
• The weight gain costs airline companies a quarter-billion dollars in extra fuel costs. 
• Soft drinks account for 7% of all calories consumed by Americans. If the average  American stopped drinking soft drinks and only drank water, he would lost 15 pounds. 
• “Eatertainment” is a term used in the food industry to describe food which mix the big three–fat, sugar, and salt–in ways to produce the most calories. 
• A small order of McDonald’s fries has 230 calories, a large order 500 calories. 
• Supersizing has been a huge hit in selling more junk food. 
• Although Americans were the first to fatten up, we’re not alone. The proportion of overweight adults is higher in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Malta, and Slovakia. And obesity is on the rise in Asia, Africa, and South America. 
• People just above the poverty level seem to be gaining weight the most rapidly. 
• Some ailments linked to excess weight: Type 2 diabetes, coronary disease, hypertension, various cancers, gallstones, osteoarthritis. 
• Overweight Americans cost the medical system $90 billion a year. 
• US corporations spend $55 billion a year building food processing and distribution centers in other countries. So “globescity” is only going to continue rising. 

For the record, I just returned from the gym.