Being overweight is tied to economics, according to studies. The cost of consuming calories has plummeted thanks to productivity gains in agriculture and distribution. Work has become more sedentary, shifting from manual labor to desk jobs, prompting those who want to lose weight to join health clubs. But the nation's 31 million health club members represent just more than 10 percent of the population, and only 40 percent of those go to the gym at least twice a week. The increase in the number of American women who work may also help explain the trend toward flab.
Housework is more physically demanding than sitting at a desk.
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