Obesity in America

In a recent Reuters online article called, American adults getting fatter by Julie Steenhuysen, it seems that Americans are doing nothing to shed the extra pounds. Not only are people growing at the waistline, but it seems like the human girth is contributing to higher health care costs. (Quotes from the article are indented).

"Obesity rates continued to climb in the past year with 23 U.S. states reporting adults in their states are fatter now than they were a year ago, two advocacy groups said on Wednesday."

"Obesity rates did not decrease in a single state last year, and the groups warned that the U.S. obesity epidemic must be addressed as lawmakers reform the nation's health system."

"'Our health care costs have grown along with our waistlines,' said Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's health, which released the report along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation."

"He said the obesity epidemic is contributing to skyrocketing health costs, and said the problem has to be addressed at the highest levels of government. Being overweight or obese raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis and other conditions."

I spent last week in Orlando, Florida. One of my comments to my wife was about the size of the people I was seeing. I'd have to agree with the article by Ms. Steenhuyen; people are getting fatter. I don't know if it was just because I was on vacation and had time to people watch, or if the people I was watching were heavier than I remember.

How is it possible for so many people to become overweight with all the warnings about health issue surrounding obesity? I can honestly say that it's not my imagination, it's splattered all of the the news, and can even be found on Google. Maybe people have lost hope in the leaders of our country, or just the country alone.

Is it possible that the economic condition of this, once great, country is finally getting to the people?

"Dr. James Marks of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said on a conference call. 'We are hopeful that policy changes some of the states are putting into place in their schools and communities are beginning to make a difference.'"

"The groups warned that the economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic as rising food prices and shrinking family budgets make it more difficult to eat healthy foods."

If we continue to give up hope and let the US economic condition effect our health, in my opinion, America will destroy itself. We don't have to wait for China or Iran to overthrow the US, we're perfectly capable of destroying it all by ourselves. Is there a fix? If so, where do we start?

I believe that we have to start with teaching our children to eat healthier foods, to get outside more, and to start exercising. All lot of the overweight people I saw in Florida were children. We have to teach our children to be more active, not sit on the beach eating potato chips and drinking soda.

"Among U.S. children, obesity rates held steady, but at still alarmingly high levels, with 30 states reporting the percentage of obese or overweight children at above 30 percent."

"A report last year found the U.S. childhood obesity epidemic leveled off this decade after surging for about 20 years, but a worrisome number of young people remain obese, risking serious health problems."

"Obese children are more likely to be saddled with risk factors associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes. They also are much more likely to be obese in adulthood."

If we don't want our children to suffer the same health issues many of us overweight adults are currently suffering from, we have to do something about it. We can help our children by taking action ourselves. Children learn by example, especially from their parents. If their parents are lazy and don't care about their weight, I'd be willing to bet the the child/children will do the same thing - be lazy, and not care.

Parents, if you need help loosing weight, there are plenty of places to help you, and there are plenty of great weight loss programs, but you have to make a conscious effort, and get started. Don't let your children suffer because you were too lazy to do something about your weight problem. Do it for your children, or do it for your country, both need your help NOW!

To learn more about a great weight loss system, click on the following link; http://www.trivitaproduct.info/weightloss.html.

Jeffrey Sloe
TriVita Independent Business Affiliate - 12871028
440-725-3729
http://trivitaproduct.info

Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5603EG20090701