AMISH LIFESTYLE SHUNS OBESITY

Now that obesity is a national health epidemic, researchers are examining alternative lifestyles that avoid this problem. A recent study of an Amish commuity in Ontario, Canada has demonstrated how an active, hard-working lifestyle reduces obesity.

Among the 98 people in the Amish community studied, all persons, male and female, spent 40 - 50 hours a week in moderate activity, with the men working an additional l0 hours a week in "vigorous" physical activity. In this Amish population, 4 percent were found to be obese, compared to 15 percent in Canada and more than 34 percent of adults in the United States.