Health & Fitness: The Shape of the Nation

Despite the exercise boom, Americans are far from fit

The trim, the taut and the wholly toned: the new blessed trinity of the U.S. Worshipers seem to be everywhere, running along sandy beaches and park paths, cycling on city streets or backwoods roads, swimming, stretching, bending, twisting or--come on, just one more--perhaps lifting weights. By now it would appear that all Americans have experienced sweaty epiphanies and are fast on their way to becoming hardy hunks and blooming beauties. The truth, however, is a good deal flabbier.

The U.S. has indeed become a nation of believers in the virtues of exercise, but a new study from the Federal Government reports...

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