Why are we a nation of couch potatoes?

Solving a mystery with

the guide to

economic reasoning

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

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

The percentage of children who are overweight has doubled since

the early 1970’s

• Face book is becoming more popular than my space,

• Because we don’t fit in my space anymore

So here’s 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?

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 today’s jobs in technology, finance, legal and health services. ___

1. what is the economic view of choice?

2. How do choices influence people in respect to exercise and

diet?

3. What is an opportunity cost?

4. How does opportunity cost influence people in their decisions about diet and

exercise?

5. What is an incentive?

6. Why is money such an attractive incentive?

7. What incentives influence people in their decisions about

diet and exercise?

8. Why are the rules of the economic system important?

9. How do the rules of the economic system influence

people in their decisions about diet and exercise?

10. What is voluntary trade?

11. How does voluntary trade influence people in their decisions about diet and

exercise?

12. What does it mean that people’s decisions have future

consequences?

13. How do future consequences influence people in their decisions about diet and

exercise?

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?

• 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