America's Battle With Obesity Rages On

02/15/2012

Obesity Rates Refuse To Go Down

Joseph

America is rapidly becoming an obese nation, and the trend shows no sign of decreasing, medical scientists say. Reports published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, make it glaringly obvious that our country is succumbing to the obesity epidemic, an epidemic which is set to pose a healthcare crisis well into the foreseeable future.

According to the reports based on national survey data, 16.9 % of American adolescents and children were obese during 2009-2010, a number which has been holding steadfast since 2007. The figures are even worse for adults. During 2009 -2010, 35.5% of men and 35.8% of women were counted as obese, these percentages have remained relatively constant since 2003.

Are Americans Satisfied With Being Fat?

Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It's associated with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and aggravates and arthritis. By and large obesity is a totally reversible and preventable disease.

Most people don't become fat overnight, it's a gradual process brought on by years of physical inactivity and poor diet.

Government studies have linked soft drinks to adolescent obesity. State governments can help reverse this trend by restricting the number of vending machines in and around public schools and other government facilities frequented by young people.

Parents and other caretakers can provide healthier foods to their children. Additionally, they can set a positive example by changing their own eating habits and taking up exercise.

Adult obesity has been trending upward for decades. Research shows that people mimic one another's behavior. If your family and neighbors overeat and don't exercise, you'll assume the same habits.

Studies show that office work is contributing to obesity. Employers can increase worker productivity and reduce the number of hours lost to illness by providing employee incentives to lose weight. Encouraging workers to exercise during fifteen minute breaks, and installing health food vending machines in break rooms would be very helpful in this regard.

But Americans don't have to be fat. As a nation, we can turn things around if we want to.

What about you? Do you think that health scientists and government officials are making too much of the obesity issue? Share your thoughts in the comments.

God's ways are perfect, learn from His Word and you shall become a better person.

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Article Sources

Ogden, C., Carroll, M., Kit, B., & Flegal, K. (2012). Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in Body Mass Index Among US Children and Adolescents, 1999-2010 JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 307 (5), 483-490 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2012.40

Flegal, K., Carroll, M., Kit, B., & Ogden, C. (2012). Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010 JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 307 (5), 491-497 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2012.39

Sugary Drinks Contribute to Obesity in American Adolescents, CDC Report

Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths: WHO

Are The People You Associate With Secretly Making You Fat?

Why Is America Getting Fatter?

Office Work Is Making Americans

Diabetes Hits America Hard: CDC Reports That Diabetes Is On The Rise

Arthritis Made Worse By Rising Obesity Rates - CDC Report