It is no surprise that studies have confirmed what we all have suspected-potato chips, french fries, sugary sodas and red meat are a major cause of weight gain in people across the United States. That coupled with our more sedentary lifestyle -television watching, computer gaming, limited exercise and not enough sleep- is linked to gradual but relentless weight gain across the board. Three separate studies following more than 120,000 healthy, non-obese American women and men for up to 20 years found that participants gained an average of 3.35 pounds within each four-year period -- totaling more than 16 pounds over two decades. The unrelenting weight gain was tied most strongly to eating potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages, red and processed meats and refined grains such as white flour.

What to do? Select foods that are associated with stable weight or less weight gain including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, yogurt and low-fat dairy food. And eat less...the average calorie intake in the United States increased 22 percent among women and 10 percent among men between 1971 and 2004.