A clip from HBO Documentary Films: Weight of the Nation.
A new study published this past month in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine predicts that 42 percent of Americans will be obese by 2030, and 11 percent of the population will be severely obese—or roughly 100 pounds overweight—by that year.
Healthcare costs also continue to climb. These Americans are much more likely to develop health conditions associated with obesity, requiring medical treatment—such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Childhood obesity is also on the rise, with approximately 3600 new cases of type 2 diabetes being diagnosed in children each year. Type 2 diabetes was once rarely seen in this young population.
Recently, we've seen efforts being made to aid this problem, from the banning of junk food ads on the Disney Channel to NYC banning large sodas. But will these bans get us closer to our ultimate goal of slowing or decreasing the rate of obesity in our nation?
What is different now than 50 years ago? Even 20 years ago? Technology for one is ever advancing. There is a wide range of Apple products, addicting social network sites, and a variety of video game systems. Technology is making a sedentary lifestyle easier.
"Poor diet and physical inactivity are the most important factors contributing to an epidemic of overweight and obesity affecting men, women, and children in all segments of our society," says the Executive Summary to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
Obesity is an epidemic that did not occur overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. Physical activity and a balanced diet are a great start though.
References:http://www.ajpmonline.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_33853-stamped2.pdf
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/PolicyDoc.pdf
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