Why are we a nation of couch potatoes?

1
Why are we a nation of couch potatoes?

• Solving a mystery with
• the guide to
• economic reasoning

2
Channel surf TV, glance at a news stand, open a
fashion catalogue and it becomes clear

• Americans admire people who look slender and
  physically fit

3
Yet according to the Center for Disease Control
Prevention

• Only about 25 of Americans are getting enough
  exercise, and about 35 of American adults are
  overweight

4
The percentage of children who are overweight has
doubled since the early 1970s
5

• Face book is becoming more popular than my space,
• Because we dont fit in my space anymore

6
So heres the mystery

• Why do an increasing number of Americans, the
  same people who admire the slender look so often
  featured in the media, exercise too little and
  eat too much?

7
Some true/false clues

• Few Americans know that exercising more and
  eating less can help many people become
  healthier.___
• Exercise and a helpful diet are free.___
• In jobs that involve physical work, exercise is
  like a fringe benefit. ___
• The price of food has been increasing over the
  last two decades. ___
• Passive modes of entertainment (like TV and
  videogames) are popular with Americans. ___
• Common jobs in the past (mining, farming, factory
  manufacturing) were much safer than todays jobs
  in technology, finance, legal and health
  services. ___

8
1. what is the economic view of choice?
9
2. How do choices influence people in respect to
exercise and diet?
10
3. What is an opportunity cost?
11
4. How does opportunity cost influence people in
their decisions about diet and exercise?
12
5. What is an incentive?
13
6. Why is money such an attractive incentive?
14
7. What incentives influence people in their
decisions about diet and exercise?
15
8. Why are the rules of the economic system
important?
16
9. How do the rules of the economic system
influence people in their decisions about diet
and exercise?
17
10. What is voluntary trade?
18
11. How does voluntary trade influence people in
their decisions about diet and exercise?
19
12. What does it mean that peoples decisions
have future consequences?
20
13. How do future consequences influence people
in their decisions about diet and exercise?
21
14. Solve the mystery

• Why do an increasing number of Americans, the
  same people who admire the slender look so often
  featured in the media, exercise too little and
  eat too much?

22

• Choosing new jobs created in a changing market
  system
• Trade-off thinness for other values and work
  related benefits
• Opportunity cost of physical activity is passive
  TV or video games