Our current environment makes it very difficult to eat healthy and be physically active; and, in fact, promotes the consumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods, and discourages physical activity. For instance, the use of automobiles, escalators, and movable walkways reduces the amount of physical activity or steps an individual takes each day. Although we cannot change everything around us, we can learn how to manage our surroundings to help encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

To read the rest of this month's column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/yourwrites/fact_sheet.php?sheet=816.