News Tonight Africa

A new research has come up with findings that Americans are improving their diet by cutting intake of calories in a day. A survey of 10,000 working-age adults has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As per statistical figures revealed, adults reduced 78 calories a day between 2005 and 2010. They found decrease in less saturated fat and an increase in intake of fiber by many working-age adults during that period.

Jessica Todd, a research economist with the USDA's Economic Research Service, said that this step was ’silver lining’ for the period of recession, which came in from 2007 to 2009. At that time, people started preparing food by sitting at their homes and concentrating more on their health. It is advised by health experts to avoid eating outside to keep control over calories. Sometimes, food available at fast food joints is loaded with sugar and calories.

During the period of recession, many people experienced drop in their income and managed to continue their livelihood by reducing their number of visits to restaurants. Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst for the NPD Group, said that restaurants cost three times the price of food prepared at home. He said that this is the reason as to why Americans are bringing a decline in calories intake and improving their diets by eating more at home.

It has been reported that about 34.9% of the people were suffering from obesity in USA in 2012, which was 35.7% in 2010 or 32% in 2004. The decline in calorie intake will help people keep weight in control. Weight control is important to keep many diseases away. Eating healthy is the best thing one can do after regular exercise for long life and good health.