why is this startling?

Today's Star Tribune contains an article with the tagline, "Americans are much sicker than their counterparts in England, startling new research shows."

Why is this startling anyone? Could it POSSIBLY be that Americans (generally speaking) drive everywhere in their gas-guzzling SUVs, live in the suburbs, watch TV, avoid exercise like it is the last great social taboo, and eat nutrition-deprived fast food more often than cooking at home?

I don't see this as a surprise. A sad state of my country -- perhaps. But come on... let's be real here. As Americans, we generally accept (and sometimes even laud -- Homer Simpson, need I say more...) the quick-easy-lazy lifestyle. Whatever buys us the most freedom -- big cars, not public transportation (or God forbid, walking or biking somewhere). Cheap food fast -- and lots of it. Why make a family meal at home when Ronald McDonald can do that for me? And Americans are notorious for not taking vacation, putting in too many hours on the job, overstressing and overburdening themselves and their families. And don't get me started on America's obsession with "stuff"... which means stress and anxiety about debt and long-term security.

So, I have to ask: we overload our bodies and our minds and our lives with poisons by the time we hit 40-something... and then we are surprised -- nay, startled -- that our bodies react by having heart attacks and strokes, by suffering from heart disease and diabetes.

My favorite line in this article: '"It's something of a mystery," said Richard Suzman of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which helped fund the study.'

I am so confused. Where's the mystery? Isn't obesity the next big epidemic? Haven't we been barraged with health warnings from the CDC for about a decade now?

The other thing that irritates me: no where in this article did it say -- ooh, this IS startling, and here's what we can do to make it better... which is typical American victimization. Let's whine about the problem, and look for a place to land our blame... but we draw the line when it comes to getting off our couches and taking a walk to do something about it.