Americans know the benefits of having a healthy diet. In school, children learn to eat a variety of healthy foods. People grow up     1     of the value of counting calories. They hear about the health dangers of chemicals added to     2     food. They realize they shouldn’t eat too many sweets or fats. Many American consumers read     3     carefully for nutrition information. That way they can compare products and eat the best foods.

Keeping fit — or maybe getting in shape — is often high on the list of New Year’s resolutions for Americans. In the past two decades, fitness has become a fashion. Many Americans have joined health     4     to work out with professional equipment. Sports stores sell     5     shoes and clothing for every possible exercise situation. People can even buy weights and equipment and set up their own exercise center at home!

Statistics give health experts good reason to be disappointed. Americans exercise less than they used to. The number of people taking part in fitness activities     6     from 41.7 million in 1991 to only 32 million in 1993. Among high school students, only 37 percent     7     three times per week. However, 70 percent of teenagers watch at least an hour of TV every day, and 38 percent watch over three hours. As a result, the     8     American gained eight pounds during the 1980’s. At least one-third of Americans weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight.

Still, by many standards, Americans enjoy good health;     9     care in the United States, while expensive, is among the best in the world. The U.S. Government     10     strict food inspections to ensure that food is of the highest quality. Food producers must label products accurately. Many resources, such as magazines, TV programs and even the Internet, allow people to find out how to improve their health. Americans know how to make themselves more healthy. They just need to do it.