Cool Snacks and the MassesIn <a href='http://swivel.com/data_columns/show/3030609'>1984</a>, a decree by <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/19496575'>President Ronald Regan</a>, designated July National Ice Cream month. While the true origins of the cold, creamy snack are debated, what is known is that Americans had at their disposal <a href='http://www.swivel.com/data_columns/show/4101374'>2,296,500 tons</a> of it in the year 2005. A versatile treat, <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/20511965'>ice cream</a> comes served in cups, sugar cones, waffle cones, as sundaes, floats, and sometimes on the human body, just to name a few. While arguably delicious, the unassuming scoop should not be taken <a href='http://www.swivel.com/data_sets/show/1005255'>lightly</a>. According to the <a href='http://www.swivel.com/users/show/1004354'>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development</a>, <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/10948414'>obesity</a> both in <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/map/20071259'>children</a> and <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/map/20071297'>adults</a> "is a known factor for several diseases such as <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/18407943'>diabetes</a>, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and arthritis."<br> Still, with <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/5046300'>global warming</a> on the rise, one might think, what better way to beat the heat than a nice two-scoop of Rocky Road? Lighter alternatives might include: fresh vegetables, fruits, or <a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/8440490'>swimming</a>. This graph shows the trend in product availability to the consumer for <font color='#0064B3'>ice cream</font>, <font color='#A5D17B'>frozen yogurt</font>, <font color='#F8B925'>fruit</font>, and <font color='#E32836'>fresh vegetables</font>, all served up on a dish of <font color='#E95F68'>population</font>. Happy National Ice Cream Month<a href='http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/9215877'>!</a>295820.0Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:13:02 -0700Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:30:57 -0700rkmLineGraphdefaultPounds Per capita (ice cream)Total Fresh VegetablesFruit TotalU.S. population (millions)Pounds Per capita (frozen yogurt)