Obesity in America
Obesity in America facts : - Obesity is a life threatening disease affecting 34% of adults in the U.S.; and nearly 67% of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.
- Between 2000 and 2005, obesity (BMI ?30) increased by 24%, morbid obesity (BMI ? 40) increased by 50% and super obesity (BMI ? 50) increased by 75%
- In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%
- As of 2006, 11% of preschoolers ages 2 to 5, 15% of children ages 6 to 11 and 18% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are overweight
- Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese
- One in five American 4-year-olds are considered obese and the rate is higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese
- A study of 5- to 17-year-olds found that 70% of obese children had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 39% of obese children had at least two risk factors
Nearly two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight or obese. Despite the attention of the health profession, the media, and the public, and mass educational campaigns about the benefits of healthier diets and increased physical activity, the prevalence of obesity in the United States has more than doubled over the past four decades.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY
- Overweight and obesity costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $117 billion annually, and since 1987, diseases associated with obesity account for 27% of the increases in medical costs
- Lost productivity related to obesity among Americans ages 17 to 64 costs $3.9 billion a year
- Obese individuals spend 36% more on health care costs and 77% more on medications per year than individuals of normal weight
As previously stated about obesity in America, there is a domino effect associated with dramatic weight gain:
People become more sedentary and less able to tolerate exercise. The heart has to work harder to supply oxygen-rich blood to the extra tissue. (extra work due to an increased area). In some cases, the body becomes resistant to its own insulin, blood sugar levels begin to increase and Type II diabetes develops. In most cases, excess weight lends itself to increased blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. This process presents us with the beginning of cardiovascular disease.
Those who fall into the category of being obese due to “glandular problems” make-up 1% of the population. Therefore, weight gain for most people, is the result of increased energy intake and decreased energy output. Translation: We eat too much and do not exercise enough. This is where knowing and doing collide. Exercising and being attentive to diet requires effort and long-term commitment. Our society demands” immediate gratification” with most things (Ex: Standing in front of a microwave and saying “hurry-up”). Seemingly, if it takes too long, requires too much effort, or is uncomfortable, we will opt not to do it. We also factor in, that if anything goes wrong with our health, there is an intervention or pill that will “fix us”.
This adage applies to a multitude of topics and very appropriately to the cascade of health problems that will accompany excess weight. We know that excess weight leads to a domino effect of health issues. Interventions and medications do not fix things 100%. The only true fix is prevention. Doing that which has been proven useful and beneficial. Losing weight is difficult. Lifestyle change is especially difficult. The good news is that a modest 5-10% loss of weight can improve your health. This translates to 10-20 lbs. for a 200lb. Person. In some ways convenience and technology have not benefited us.
There is a certain percentage of responsibility that we, as individuals, have to assume for our own well-being. Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians, Nurses, Doctors, Physical Therapists, and other health care personnel only help the patient navigate the waters. They cannot, as well, propel the ship. This is the patient’s responsibility. To follow through making sure we see our physicians consistently, make good dietary choices, get an appropriate amount of exercise, and make other lifestyle changes to prevent obesity in America.
Posted at August 29, 2009, Filed Under
