But people have to take responsibility for their own behavior, too. They must be aware of what they eat and make a concerted effort to get exercise. "Calories out need to equal calories in," McGinnis observed. For the 64% of Americans who are currently overweight, that balance needs to be tipped even further, Doyle said: Calories out must be greater than calories in. For many people, cutting back those calories and getting more exercise is a real challenge. A relatively easy first step, Doyle said, is to keep an eye on portion sizes. 8th street latinas "We seem to have lost sight of what a 'normal' portion size is," she said. "We tend to be served portions that frequently are double the amount of the standard portion, and when we're served large portions, we eat more calories." To get a better sense of proper serving sizes, Doyle suggested doing some test runs at home. Measure a half cup of pasta or a 3- to 4-ounce portion of meat, and compare this amount to what you usually eat. ACS nutrition guidelines also recommend limiting red meat -- fish, poultry, or beans are a better choice -- and eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. As for exercise, start looking for ways to incorporate activity into your day. "Commit to taking the stairs at the office instead of the elevator," Doyle suggested. "Get off the subway a few stops early and walk to your destination, play ball with your kids, or go for a family walk after dinner." According to ACS physical activity guidelines, adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 or more days each week; more vigorous or frequent activity may be even better. Children need at least an hour of activity 5 or more days a week. Mike in Brazil No Quick Fix McGinnis praised the CDC for collecting and analyzing the type of data included in the latest report. For a number of years, he explained, bad diet and lack of exercise weren't recognized as significant problems. Now that they are, the health agency can keep public attention focused on reversing these deadly trends. The new findings have also prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to launch a public education campaign, dubbed the Healthy Lifestyles and Disease Prevention Initiative, urging Americans to make changes in their diet and exercise habits. The National Institutes of Health also plans to fund more research into obesity prevention and treatment. "We need to tackle America's weight issues as aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, in announcing the new initiatives. But progress is likely to take time. "It took 50 years to get us into this predicament," McGinnis said. "It's probably going to take a few decades to get us out of it."