Thanks to the popularity of things like Facebook, Playstation and TiVo, it's pretty obvious that teenagers today are getting less physical activity than they were a few decades ago. Or is it? Recent findings from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found that teenagers today are definitely heavier than they were 20 years ago, but they're still getting about the same amount of physical activity. Which means, then, that a lack of exercise isn't to blame for the staggering levels of obesity in young adults today.

Of course, if obesity isn't caused by a reduction of calories being burned off, the only other logical explanation is that it's caused by an increase in the calories being consumed -- we're getting just as much activity as we did before, but it's simply not enough to make up for all the extra food we're consuming. In fact, other experts argue that the surge in obesity levels in youngsters is caused by food alone -- exercise habits don't even factor into the equation.

Hey, nobody's saying that exercise isn't important -- it's definitely an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But when it comes to obesity levels in teenagers, it seems the problem starts at the dinner table, not the couch.

Many people are also pointing fingers at school lunches -- students in Chicago can fill up on nachos five days a week.

Photo: Michelle May, M.D.

The trademarks of yo-yo dieting -- overeating, followed by deprivation in guilty repentance -- may seem like something a doctor would have the self-control and training to be above, but Michelle May, M.D., former yo-yo dieter and author of the new book "Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat," explains that "health care professionals are people too," and that the restrictions of diets -- not the dieters -- are to blame for failed weight-loss plans.

The reason? In her book, she explains that the very basics of dieting -- the counting, planning and constant need to think and plan your eating based off of someone else's rules (often "before you're even out of bed!") is tiring. So much so, that any good aspect of the diet is essentially canceled out by the end result: "This constant effort and vigilance may wear you out and cause you to return to overeating to escape." Once Dr. May ditched diets, and adopted long-term successful strategies she describes below, the weight came off.

That's Fit: What do you think was most effective in helping you achieve a healthy weight?

Dr. Michelle May: I had to pay attention not just to what and how much I was eating, but why I was eating in the first place. I didn't have any deep, dark emotional issues, but I had certainly learned to comfort and entertain myself with food. Even when I was on a diet and following the rules about what to eat, I was still eating when I was bored, stressed or tired. When I felt too deprived of the foods I loved, I'd go off my diet. Nothing had fundamentally changed about my relationship with food so I just went back to overeating my favorites. This is what I called my eat-repent-repeat cycle.

I've since worked with thousands of people who are doing exactly the same thing, and the reason is that with yo-yo [dieting you don't] have any middle ground -- you are either on your diet or off. I kicked yo-yo dieting by changing the paradigm completely from a yo-yo to a pendulum. There is still the possibility of extremes but as you give overeating and dieting less of your energy, the pendulum settles into a smaller arc in the middle where you have the flexibility and the mindfulness to nourish your mind, body, heart and soul.

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You know already that the Mediterranean Diet is tops -- it's shown to be the healthiest way to not only lose weight but maintain your health for life. However, if you believe in the founding principal of The 100-Mile Diet -- that it's best for both you and the world around us if you try to eat food that's produced locally, or at least somewhat nearby -- it makes eating Mediterranean pretty hard, especially for folks like me. I'm from Canada, and while we do grow a lot of great things there, olives are definitely not one of them.

Fear not, says a group of foodies from my home country -- eating stuff that's grown in our cold climate is just as good for us as sourcing out food from over the Atlantic, and it leaves a smaller ecological footprint to boot.

Victoria Beckham arriving for a guest judging appearance on American Idol on August 7 in Denver, Colo. Photo: Charles Pulliam, AP

Victoria Beckham usually makes headlines for her staggeringly high heels, impeccable fashion sense and ever-present dour expression. Lately, though, it seems she's again raising eyebrows for her skin-and-bones appearance. It doesn't help that her nutritionist Monica Grenfell recently spoke out about the mother-of-three's eating habits, admitting that Posh is so strict about what she eats that she won't even snack on the 11-hour flight between London and LA. "Victoria told me she's not that keen on eating on the plane," Grenfell tells Metro in the UK. "She prefers to catch up on her sleep and reenergise."

OK, I can understand not wanting to touch that dodgy airplane food, but 11 hours is a long time to go without food, don't you think?

"Victoria's always been a teeny little thing. She seems into her diet in a big way," Grenfell adds. "When she goes on business lunches she'll choose white fish and she'll often pick at things rather than have big sit down meals." Victoria recently admitted to running eight miles a day, and for that kind of workout, she needs more nourishment than a few bites of fish. Sadly, it seems she's more interested maintaining her oh-so-tiny physique than eating healthy.

Want to steal some of Posh's style? Dress yourself thin with these fall fashions.

Photo: Gret@Lorenz, Flickr

Do you feel like eating with a group of your girlfriends leads to pigging out? According to a recent study published in Appetite journal, there is a major difference in how women eat around men compared to how they eat around other women.

Based on observations of students in three large university cafeterias, the study found that, when eating with men, women consumed fewer calories. If the woman was eating with a group, her calorie intake was impacted by the number of men in the group. A group of women eating together corresponded with a meal significantly higher in calories.

It's possible that a woman subconsciously feels like smaller, daintier portions make her look more feminine and attractive to her male counterparts. You already know that having overweight friends can influence your weight gain, and if you're trying to find a mate (or just a date), you want to give the impression of being health conscious.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Listen up, men: Your physical fitness affects your bedroom fitness, so we want you in tip-top shape. Check out these exercises for better sex from AOL Health. (Note: Ladies, these are just for guys.)

Shocking, but true fact -- toilet cleaner and potato chips have the same ingredient and bread and acne cream have the same ingredient, and these aren't the only odd couples. AOL Health investigates this week in "What's really in our food?"

Whether you suffer from first-date-jitter odors or post-workout stench, we've got fixes for your most embarrassing smells.

Photo: langalex, Flickr

When the weather is beautiful, why not escape to the outdoors? Enjoy lunch at a local park, bring along a picnic spread on your next bike ride, hike along a trail until you find the perfect spot or just enjoy your meal in your own backyard. There are plenty of options for picnic foods that won't pack on pounds:

• Veggie wrap. Load a whole-grain tortilla with a little cheese and as many veggies as you can fit. Try a mix of sprouts, tomato, cucumber and shredded carrot. Dress it up with mustard and some freshly ground pepper and then roll it up. It's a healthful and easy to eat sandwich.
  
• Hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for packing, hard-boiled eggs come in their own container. That means less waste to take home with you. Plus, they're tasty and high in protein -- energy for the bike ride, hike or walk back home.
• Your choice of dip. Salsa and hummus are both healthful alternatives to dip. You can bring some baked chips or, better yet, dip strips of bell pepper and cucumber instead.
• A better slaw salad. Tanya Zuckerbrot's take on an Asian Slaw Salad isn't just a lighter alternative to this favorite, it's also picnic friendly.
• Fruit. Convenient and easy to pack, fruit is a sweet ending for your meal.
• Sweeter yet. Does your summer meal feel incomplete without a brownie-like treat? Modify a favorite recipe to make it a bit healthier. For example, you can try zucchini brownies or you can make Toll House pan cookies but use whole-wheat flour instead of white and applesauce instead of the butter/oil.

For more ideas, check out these eight picnic treats under 80 calories.

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Photo: JelleS/Flickr

There's nothing like a summer camping trip -- long, hot days spent hiking or swimming in the lake and cool nights around a campfire. When packing up all the gear for your next camping trip, remember to pack health and nutrition, too. Campfire cooking isn't limited to hot dogs and s'mores. With a little planning and creativity, you can have some delicious and tasty meals that are in keeping with your healthy eating goals:

• Breakfast. Scrambled eggs are a natural on the campfire. Just pack a cast iron skillet and a spatula. Also bring healthy mix-ins like green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Or bake these flaxseed-loaded Morning Glory Muffins ahead of time. Granola also makes a healthy breakfast as well as a handy trail snack. Fruit is also handy and healthy.
  
• Lunch. Bring a softside cooler that's easy to take with you while hiking, boating or touring the local towns. Pack fruits, vegetables, healthful sandwiches on whole wheat and other nutritious foods.
• Dinner. There are plenty of healthy, filling and delicious foods you can cook on your campfire. Try beef kebobs, roasted vegetable fajitas, even baked pears for dessert.

Remember to incorporate lots of physical activity into your camping trips, too. Water skiing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, biking, and other activities are obvious choices. But be sure to check for opportunities that are unique to the area as well, such as climbing sand dunes or going parasailing. Your camping trip won't only be an escape from the every day... it will also be a chance to get fit and healthy.

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Can certain foods really affect your mood? It's possible. Maggie tells us that eating photoestrogenic foods might help women control drastic mood swings.

Stop doing those crunches! Or at least, do them in moderation. Instead, says Ashley, protect your back by doing exercises that strengthen your core.

Could you have hidden food allergies that are causing inflammation and making you fat? Jonny says it's possible, and he'll teach you how to find out.

Nia Vardalos on her weight loss secret: "I had a blood sugar problem so my Doctor ordered me to lose weight, it was really hard but I did it through diet, exercise and it took a year." Not much of a secret there, just good, old-fashioned hard work.

Are munching and crunching adding too many calories to your daily diet? Here are some ideas for curing those cravings naturally.

What will they think of next? Kristen tries out a Smartslip, kind of like a big resistance band worn under your skirt to tone your legs all day long. Would you wear one?

'Tis the season for flip flops, the world's most laid back shoes. Let AOL Health show you how to protect those tootsies while you wear your favorite summer shoes in style.

This Father's Day, help your dad be a vertical dad. That is, show him how to relieve stress by being on his feet and staying active, not reclining horizontally on the couch.

After you take Dad out for a hike or a bike, TCBY is serving up free yogurt. Jacki's got tips for keeping this treat healthy.

Can sleep improve your performance in the gym or on the field? We all know how important sleep is, so it's worth a shot to make sure you're getting plenty of shut-eye.

Photo: Getty Images

If you're trying to lose weight, or just trying to eat healthy, you need to steer clear of trans fats. Why? They add useless calories, build bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol. Unfortunately, some of your favorite restaurants -- from KFC to Bob Evans -- are using sneaky loopholes to work against you. The food industry knows that trans fats are unpopular, but partially hydrogenated oil (the stuff that trans fat dreams are made of) is cheap, so restaurants have gone to great lengths to skirt FDA regulations. Because the FDA allows the food industry to list any product with less than 0.5 grams of the dangerous lipid as having "zero trans fats," restaurants and packaged food producers can deceive consumers about serving trans fat-free food. Find out which sneaky establishments you need to be aware of to stay trans fat free.

Do you ever have those days where you're just inexplicably grumpy? Or maybe things that really aren't that big of a deal make your eyes well up with tears? For many women, mood swings are a regular part of life, just one of the unpleasant side effects of imbalanced hormones, which can also increase as you age.

Consistent physical activity can help manage hormone imbalance, but the foods you eat also play a role. Many foods contain phytoestrogens, natural hormone-like compounds found in plants. Foods that contain phytoestrogens include soy beans, almonds, strawberries, and flax seeds. Add more phytoestrogenic foods to your diet to see if you can manage your mood swings naturally.

In addition to being the great at leveling hormones, phytoestrogens provide a host of other benefits such as immune system support.

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Indian food is delicious. However, if you're not careful, a meal out at an Indian restaurant can do some serious damage to your diet.

As is the case with any other cuisine, the best way to defend your diet is by preparing yourself. It's extremely helpful to know what popular menu items are more diet-friendly than others. Samosas, for example, are fried, so although they're amazing (oh my gosh, so tasty), they're not the best appetizer choice for someone being cautious about calories.

Check out the not-very-high-tech video above for some solid tips on what to order at an Indian restaurant -- you might be surprised at some of the scrumptious dishes that are actually recommended!

Pasta, and sauces and cheese ... oh my! Italian food -- while incredibly yummy -- isn't exactly known for the health factor. But just like you can find healthy choices while eating at Chinese restaurants and Mexican restaurants, dinner at an Italian restaurant doesn't need to derail your healthy eating goals.

Though heavier fare like pasta might come to mind when you think Italian, true Italian food actually has many healthy options. Some things to look for:

• Skip the breadsticks. Yes, they're tasty, but do you really want to eat so many calories in just breadsticks? Wait for your main course.
• Very vinaigrette. Choose a light vinaigrette for your salad instead of a creamy dressing.
  
• Super soups. Both Minestrone and Pasta e Fagioli are light and delicious options.
• Veg it up. Look for dishes that are heavy in vegetables. Many Italian dishes include roasted vegetables.
• Go grilled. Avoid breaded items like chicken parmesan or fried items like calamari. Instead, opt for grilled chicken or seafood.
• Pass on the pasta. Choose a small side dish of pasta if you'd like, but avoid the main courses that are primarily pasta.
  
• See red. Opt for marinara sauce instead of cheesy, buttery or cream-based sauces.
• Thin is in. If you're ordering pizza, choose a thin crust and all vegetable toppings.
• Have dessert at home. Tiramisu is wonderful, but it's best to save high-calorie treats like that for rare occasions. Instead of ordering dessert at the restaurant, consider having a light and healthful dessert waiting for you at home. (For example, a small piece of angel food cake topped with mixed berries.)

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If you're a label reader, you already know that lots of supermarket foods aren't nearly as good for you as advertised. Every other box on the shelf brags about how it's all natural or organic, fat-free or made with 70 types of grains. How's a savvy shopper to pick the truly healthy choices out of all the junk food with healthy-looking packaging?

Never fear -- the video above will help you navigate the grocery store like a nutrition pro. No more candy bars masquerading as health food for you, my friend! At least, not unless that's what you want.