I am not a dietitian. I do not have a medical degree. I am severely lacking qualifications to validate this title. I do however have experience living in cultures all over the world, which has given me a plethora of knowledge through observation.

I have lived in a tent on a Haitian beach. I have prepared food over a charcoal stove each day in Uganda. I have walked over a mile each way to catch the bus in Romania. I have scrubbed my clothes by hand in Nicaragua. I have gone to the market each morning to get food for the day in China. Each of these experiences and more, have shaped my perspective on the differences between American culture and those around the world. In the sections to come we will explore the theories I’ve developed about America’s health status as compared to other countries. Choices related to food, exercise, medicine, and lifestyle all contribute to what I consider to be an unfortunate epidemic in our culture: obesity.

As previously mentioned these are theories. Maybe you’ll disagree or even prove me wrong, both of which I welcome. Ultimately I hope this will at the very least provoke a desire to make healthy choices for yourselves. You may be American, but you certainly don’t have to be fat.

Check back soon for further exploration of the fuel to the flame of my new favorite tagline: “And That’s Why America is Fat”.