You know I talk a lot about the obesity epidemic in this country here at FFTV, but this is something that even shocked me. New research finds if things don’t change, most American adults – 86 percent – will be overweight or obese by the year 2030. 86 percent!
And the cost of this crisis? The study – which is in the online issue of Obesity - projects health care spending related to overweight and obesity to reach as much as $956.9 billion as health problems soar. Both the overweight and obese are more at risk for having several health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Another scary effect of all this – researchers say children and young adults may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents if the obesity epidemic is left unaddressed.
Even as we keep getting more sombering news about obesity in the U.S., I still think the trend can be reversed if we all do our part – you know, the “it takes a village” mentality. I have been busy talking to a lot of people lately who are already Making a Healthy Difference and will share their stories with you very soon.
In the meantime, I’m curious – what do you think needs to be done to get us out of this mess and really turn things around?
Thank you!
You’ve been quoted for How TV Disrupts Your Life!
HOLY CRAP!!!
Had no idea.
Have you seen Wall-E? Very much a social commentary and a kid movie. Fabulous example of what Americans are turning into.
It is a little terrifying – especially as the mother of two young children. Our lives (in general) have become so sedentary. I think that the only way to work our way out of this hole in the long term is to start with the younger generation and try to instill in them a love of healthy food (easier said than done) and activity (again, easier said than done with all of the sedentary media out there).
While exercise and eating well are important, we need to start being conscious about how we live. We are biologically programmed to gourge when we see food. That worked great when we lived on the Serengeti, but isn’t too cool when we are downing in options.
Case in point, I wrote in my blog last week about taking the test from Dr Oz on Oprah.com. One of the questions still haunts me. Do you stop eating before you are full? How do you do that? I do not know how to stop eating before I’m full. I’m not obese, but I’m a middle aged women who doesn’t have the body I had at 20. There are things I do I know I shouldn’t and I don’t know how to stop.
The point I’m trying to make there’s alot more to this than just having the right information.
Great topic!!!
It’s hard to say what needs to change in just a few words. I believe the most efficient way to change this panorama is to educate the children at their school, by offering good and health food and banning junk foods and pops.
This should be followed by sessions with their parents to inform them what those changes are necessary.
The problem I believe is that we live in a society that wants everything fast and changing habits it’s a long process.
These statistic are based on current activity. If anything this “shock” information will motivate the masses to get more involved in a healthier lifestyle….I am an optimist and believe that this junk food, inactive lifestyle will decrease as the awareness spreads. How about incentive based programs for company’s to promote a healthier lifestyle? Maybe the insurance companies should offer better discounts for healthier individuals?
I know there is an obesity…just look around and its obvious. Still, I wonder if the word obese is being a little over used. I just found I am technically obese. WOW—you’d think I’d know that without having to be told.
But I don’t have rolls–no big pot belly—no cottage cheese hanging–I don’t think I would stand out in the crowd as the “fat guy” or even the “heavy” guy, yet somebody has decided my body fat makes me obese.
Does this system make total sense??
Watch out Richard Simmons, you’re starting to look a little chunky.
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