Fat Check Obesity in America Is A National Epidemic
When it comes to gaining weight, Americans are headed in the wrong direction. Since 1990, the number of obese adult Americans has increased an astounding 60 percent. Today, one in every three Americans is considered obese, a medical condition in which a person’s actual weight exceeds his or her ideal weight by more than 20 percent.
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is the best way to determine if you are obese or overweight. (See the article, Are You At Risk?, for more information about your BMI.) Measuring your waistline is another way to check your weight. According to the American Heart Association, a high-risk waistline is 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men.
Obesity is a serious health issue because it sets the stage for a host of medical problems: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, gallbladder disease and greater risk for breast, prostate and colon cancer – the list goes on and on. Obesity-related illnesses are responsible for the deaths of 300,000 Americans each year. Only tobacco kills more people. The cost of treating these obesity-related illnesses is a staggering $150 billion a year.
First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a nationwide program called “Let’s Move” to help prevent childhood obesity. The program will educate parents about the benefits of good nutrition and exercise, provide healthier foods in schools, and promote more exercise and physical education for children. Visit our website for more information about “Let’s Move” and childhood obesity.
Children Are At Risk, Too! Adults aren’t the only age group at risk. One in three children is now obese or overweight, and the number of overweight children ages 6 – 11 has doubled in the past 20 years. Among American teenagers, the news is even more alarming. The number of overweight adolescents has tripled in the past two decades. These children are much more likely to become overweight adults and face serious medical issues.
How Did We Get Here? Obesity in America has many causes. Some of these causes have been around for generations. For example, your metabolism, the rate at which the body burns energy, slowly declines as you grow older, making it increasingly difficult to lose weight. Putting on weight can slip up on you. Say you have a healthy weight at age 25. If you gain just one pound a year, you will be 30 pounds overweight by age 55!
Take Charge of Your Weight! In the end, losing weight is a matter of personal responsibility. It’s all about putting a plan together, making positive changes in your life and staying committed to your goals. Read the article Live What You Learn on this page for useful information on how to get started. See if your local hospital is sponsoring any weight-loss groups or classes. Talk to your personal physician about your weight-loss goals and ask for his or heradvice and support. Your physician may also refer you to a nutrition specialist if you need additional advice. With the right support and knowledge, combined with your determination, you will lose weight!
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