Jan 15 2009

Obese Americans outnumber the overweight

The National Center for Health Statistics, which tracks such things, reports that the percentage of Americans defined as obese now exceeds the percent who are just overweight, 34% as opposed to just under 33%.  This means that while the prevalence of obesity (BMI >30) has doubled since 1980, the prevalence of overweight (BMI 25-29) has stayed about the same.  The big are getting bigger.  Some overweight people are moving into the obese category.  And their places are filled by the formerly non-obese.  It doesn’t look like this problem is going to go away soon.

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There’s some other interesting research coming out on this topic, as well. Obesity, as well as Type-II diabetes, may be the result of far more than bad eating habits acquired as children. One researcher suggests that poor diets early in life may be affecting us a far more profound level. There’s a good article in Science Daily about it at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090114160546.htm

  • Foodaroo
  • January 15, 2009
  • 10:18 pm

As long as there is money to be made in the weight loss industry, the issue of obesity will never be resolved and will only get worse.

The only way the obese can combat the issue of obesity is to break the cycle of fad dieting and to learn more food, nutrition (not “voodoo” nutrition), exercise, and the human body.

  • Daniel
  • January 16, 2009
  • 11:54 am

A great place to start is in the schools. Isn’t it time we allow a budget for schools to offer more palatable healthy meals in the schools, including a plant-based entree as an option for everyone, especially for those who don’t eat animal-products.
Getting a positive message started in schools is very important.

We need big changes!

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