Sunday, January 17, 2010

Obesity In America - What Can We Do?

By John Smith M.D

Obesity in US is at an all time high. The degree is really very astonishing and at epidemic levels. We have a tendency to be actually eating ourselves to death. Here are some facts about the United States and how obese and overweight we truly are. Why is the United States the fattest nation on our planet? Why do we overeat so much and do nothing about helping ourselves to overcome obesity?

60 million people in the United States are full of the disease obesity, where females are particularly affected more. Over 1/3rd of women between the ages of 25 and 74 are obese, the bulk of them being Mexican and African American. The amount of Americans since the 1960's that are overweight or obese are an instantaneous results of prepackaged foods and exercise and activity virtual at a stand still for most.

Fast Food plays a significant role in our current state of obesity in our countries population. Fast food is socially accepted as a result of it being so globalized. These foods add additional calories and are very unhealthy in general. The extra calories that are not weakened by the body are stored as fats which provides rise to obesity. It is especially so because there is a fast food restaurant on every corner. They are so readily offered and it seems sometimes its may be the only thing that may satisfy your hunger.

Statistics since the 1990's show overweight and obesity has dramatically increased as an on the spot results of the our eating habits and particularly because of the fast food restaurants. Since the 1980's obesity in children has dramatically increased. Much to do with a lack of outdoor exercise and fast food. The biggest issue being computers and video games. Tell me when the last time you seen a child playing outside. Its terribly rare at the least.

In 1984 only 4% of children were thought to be obese. The obesity statistic in children current is 30%. 25% of all the obese children are starting to develop signs of diabetes type II. Of these children that are developing signs of diabetes type II more than 60% are showing signs of cardiovascular disease.

With obesity there is an increased risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure. Even cancers such as colon, breast or prostate cancer. Obesity is linked to mental health conditions like having a low self esteem, shameful feelings and even depression. Health experts say that even losing ten to fifteen percent of your body weight can dramatically decrease people from developing these serious conditions. In addition, several obese people are discriminated against and targets of insults and various verbal abuse.

In the US we are seeing to many individuals dying each year as a result of obesity and many people that are obese are turning into diabetics. Who do we have a tendency to hold accountable? The people that distribute the foods that are bad for us? Well that would be one route to go but we are not forced to eat the food, we have a choice. Of course, it could not presumably be our fault as a result of we live in a very nation where we as a whole do not account ourselves responsible anymore.

Its time for each one of us to be accountable for our eating habits and behaviors. In our current economy its a lot of easier on the wallet to eat at the many fast food restaurants that there is currently offered to us. We have to change our eating habits if we want to live a long healthy life. Value shop,put dinners together that are not expensive. Eat leftovers. Make yourself a sandwich. There are many things you could do to save money and not eat at fast food restaurants. Exercise for a minimum of 1 hour a day. Make your kids play outside.

We need to take control of this worldly problem now before its too late. If you found this article the least bit educating or interesting and would like to learn more about the exact statistics of our level of obesity and the diseases that can be caused and what we can do the prevent obesity then follow the link below.

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