At the time of writing this article the obesity rate in the US is over 50% (adults and children included). If the trend of obesity continues at its current rate it is expected that in less than 2 ?翻 years the obesity rate will have reached 75% with it reaching an astounding 90% by the year 2020. This epidemic is systematically dismantling the health of America.
Poor eating habits, inactivity, and other environmental influences are the main contributors to the steady climb in what is known as the obesity prevalence factor. The obesity prevalence varies from region to region and state to state. The Southern States suffer the worse from obesity, with the Midwest states coming in second. The prevalence also varies among races, with Non-Hispanic Blacks struggling worse in battling this disease and Latin Americans coming in a close second.
The impact obesity has on the health of those it effects is enormous. There are multitudinous diseases and conditions that are directly associated with obesity and will increase in prevalence and frequency if this epidemic is not addressed expeditiously. Below you will find a short list of some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases and conditions that are directly associated with obesity.
• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Stroke
• Liver and Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)
In addition to the devastating impact that this epidemic is having on the health of the American population, there is the exorbitant costs that are associated with dealing with this problem. It is estimated that over 200 million dollars is spent annually to deal with different aspects of the fallout of this disease. These numbers are expected to climb as the obesity prevalence rate rises.
If something is not done soon we will have an entire nation that is physically dysfunctional. Many have become aware of the magnitude of the problem, but few have been able to conquer it. There is a great deal of effort but very little in the way of success to report at this point.
To truly engage this disease in a manner that will produce significant results at a level that will result in the reversal of this trend, there will have to be a national commitment to making a lifestyle change. I hope that you will work with those you love to help them engage this terrible epidemic.
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