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The Situation: Obesity is the most pressing public health issue facing America today. It has reached epidemic proportions and is even harder to treat than the diseases and health problems it causes. The low rate of treatment success for obesity is because people will not commit to changing patterns that have become ingrained in our social fabric. Beverage commerce patterns, sedentary lifstyles, and personal eating habits are problems, as well. Our food is killing us, and it is by choice.
Obesity Statistics
* The USA has the second highest obesity rate in the world after only Mexico (2010)
* At any given time, an estimated 72 million Americans are on a diet (2007)
* In 2008, $40 billion was spent on diet products; the industry grew to $61 billion in 2011
* The estimated indirect cost of obesity in America is $450 billion annually (2011); obesity-related medical care costs $160 billion annually (2010)
* More than 70% of Americans were considered overweight in 2012
* Projections for the future state that 86% of Americans will be overweight by 2030 — and 42% will be obese
* Projections for the future state that 7.2% of the American population (29 million) will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050
* 30-40% of people with celiac disease are obese yet an estimated 97% of people with celiac remain undiagnosed
How Our Food is Killing Us
The problem underlying these health conditions os the modern American diet of grains, refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and toxic food additives. Our food is killing us. Today’s families have become fat and sick from a diet of processed foods, and our children will be the first generation to have shorter life spans than their parents. The situation is critical, and we must change course immediately.
Today’s families have become fat and sick from a diet of processed foods, and our children will be the first generation to have shorter life spans than their parents. The situation is critical, and we must change course immediately.
Obesity Solutions
Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, states that their ongoing and rigorous research into interventions shows that for real change to occur, individuals need to get past a crash-diet mentality and make a plan for healthy eating and increased physical activity for the whole family. People need tools that can assist them in making these changes, including support groups and web or cellphone-based tools. Public education programs are also crucial.
Margo Wooten, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in te Public Interest, claims we can reverse the obesity epidemic if we improve options at restaurants. Dozens of studies link eating out with obesity. We should try to eat healthy at restaurants. To help, restaurants could normal-size portions and have meals with healthy sides and beverages.
Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says we can reverse the obesity epidemic by empowering communities and individuals to make healthier choices the easier choices at every stage of life and at every place. Families are important for success. Unless the whole family gets involved in a plan to adopt a healthier lifestyle, it will be difficult for the individual to succeed.
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
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