America is FAT

America is FAT

This is a little different style than my previous posts but I feel it’s time to get on my soap box and preach a little bit.  In lieu of a recent CDC report that stated “an estimated 42% of Americans will be obese by the year 2030,” I feel that something needs to be said.  In order for this to happen an additional 32 million Americans will need to become obese in the next 18 years.  Keep in mind, this isn’t just becoming overweight or gaining a few extra pounds here and there; it’s full on obesity which is defined as a BMI greater than 30 or a body fat percentage greater than 25% (males) and 35% (females).  That is a lot of fat people!  And to top it off the proportion of those that are severely obese is likely to double, reaching an incredible 11%!  I currently live near the Houston area which is one of the nation’s fattest cities so I have a front row few of the fatness and let me tell you, it's not a pretty site.

I’m sure most of you know that the incidence of disease and mortality is highly correlated with obesity. And I'm sure those of you who live a healthy life and exercise regularly are thinking this issue of obesity doesn’t directly affect you….or does it?  The CDC report also said that these obesity rates will likely cost America $550 billion worth of health care costs.   To me this is a rediculous concept! It's unsettling that everyone in the country is going to have to pay the bill for fat people's hospital visits especially when all of it could have been prevented. Instead of  people complaining about increases in taxes or gas prices, which are factors that are more difficult to control, people should be complaining about paying for obese people!

The authors behind the research that the report was based on said there really wasn’t one factor that could “account” for these trends.  It’s likely a combination of factors, including: decreases in activity levels, increased fast/junk food, technology advancements, weather etc.  Regardless of the cause, the fix is simple: Stop eating so much and move around more! 

In all seriousness, something really needs to change or our country is going to suffer.  I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a thing about politics but that may be where the solution lies.  I know a lot of companies are giving incentives for employees who exercise or belong to a gym but there clearly needs to be more programs like that for changes to occur.  So spread the word people: eat right, exercise more and grab the closest fat person and teach them your ways!