so with obesity rates climbing every year in America, is cycling in America decreasing in numbers?

Nope. You haven't got your facts straight. "Bicycle commuting up 40% in Missouri since 2003" Link below.

Portland, OR. has the highest number of bicycle commuters. "The 6.4% figure makes Portland the nation's #1 big city for bike commuting." 2nd link.

Cycling and/or commuting by bicycle is on the rise.

It certainly helped me in July of 2005 I was 280 pounds, and at the age of 58, the Doctor advised me to either change my life style or remain the same and wait for the inevitable. I did something about it, and 6 months later I had dropped my weight, all through sensible eating and portion control along with a regular work which included cycling.

My Christmas present for 2005 was a bicycle, and 2 months later a much better road bike. I found a group of cyclists I ride with every week end, and continue to do so, at 64 I have a health level that I can't remember ever reaching, My weight is around 180-185 pounds, Cholesterol 110, Resting heart rate 45, blood sugar where it should, I was previously diagnosed borderline Type 2 diabetic. Blood pressure although still on the medication, at the recommended level; I think to keep the medical profession in business.

If your serious about your health and need to do some form of exercise cycling is great, wear a helmet at all times, and find a group of other people out there with a similar interest. In the winter when the weather gets bad, take out a Gym membership, I'm fortunate that my company subsidizes my membership fees, but I still get 50 to 60 miles in a week at the Gym.

Remember diet alone will not work, exercise needs to be part of the regimen too, and most of all there are no magic pills or formulas out there, if you read all the instructions with these gimmicks they all call for a "sensible diet and exercise program"

Now go and have fun.

Religious contradiction at its finest. We have the highest rate of obesity for a lot of reasons. First off, our proficiency in new technology is not the best in the world, but we're definitely one of the more developed countries. Part of this leads us to have a great deal of equipment and technology to make life in general "easier." We strive for easiness and a lack of challenge. Convenience, in a sense. Why walk up stairs if there's an escalator? Why mow the lawn with a pushed lawn mower when you can just get a riding lawn mower? Etc. Also, our cuisine leaves a lot to be strived for in terms of health. We go more for taste than for what will help us to live well and live long. If you were to go to a place like Vietnam, you'd find that much of their food is simple, unseasoned, and quite healthy -- nothing to add a few extra pounds. The challenge of Christianity is present; you're not supposed to be gluttonous -- but Christians often don't consider themselves gluttonous. Many overweight people instead say they're big boned, it's genetic, etc., and in some cases that's true. In other cases, they disregard it and simply live their lives as they choose.

Yao Ming probably has enough money to have built a custom made bike to suit his 8 foot frame. As far as a correlation to obesity and cycling, I think not. I would argue, increased cycling in America has a direct correlation to gas prices and the expense of owning and insuring a car.

Best.

No. They do not always go hand in hand. Perhaps cycling can help someone maintain a healthy weight, but it's not guaranteed.

Obesity and overeating go hand in hand. We spend too much time in front of the computer and TV.

cycling isn't the only sport out there...

It better, cyclists are obnoxious and a hazard on the road. They should stick to bike only or trails.