Last week, a group of researchers published a study in the International Journal of Obesity theorizing as to why so many Americans are overweight. The purpose of the study was to determine reasons outside of diet that are causing waistlines to grow. The results ranged from the logical (not enough sleep) to the absurd (e.g. more obese people are more fertile).

A new survey, conducted by the Associated Press and Ipsos, provides a more definitive reason. Although 80% of Americans read food labels, just 44% actually act on the information contained on those labels. Knowing how many calories a food item has doesn’t do any good if the person does not adjust his consumption accordingly.

Take for instance a bottle of Coke. A typical bottle sold at most convenience stores lists 100 calories. Not awful, except when you consider that the bottle contains 2.5 servings. In other words, the entire bottle contains 250 calories. For just a few more calories, you could eat a turkey sandwich at Subway. Care to guess which is more filling?

Read labels constantly and act accordingly. Reduce calorie, fat and sodium wherever possible. Eat more whole grains and fresh fruits and bananas. You’ll live longer and feel better.