1. Why are we a nation of couch potatoes?
Solving a mystery with
the guide to
economic reasoning

2. Americans admire people who look slender and physically fit
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 1970’s

5. Face book is becoming more popular than my space,
Because we don’t fit in my space anymore

6. 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?

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 today’s 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 people’s 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