The most threatening epidemic facing Americans today is not a deadly virus, it is obesity and the resulting often deadly diseases it can cause, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. In fact, Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed routinely in teens and young adults where it used to be a disease of later years.
Obesity statistics indicate that the current generation and the one following it are highly vulnerable to weight gain. There are many reasons for this. High calorie food combined with low levels of activity lead to people putting on lots of extra weight. However, many people do not act to lose weight until it is too late. It is very difficult for an obese person to lose weight, simply because they may be suffering from obesity related diseases or may find it extremely difficult to control their eating habits.
Weight Statistics in the U.S.
These are based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004: Around 2/3 of U.S. adults over 20 (approximately 133.6 million) are categorized as obese or overweight. Almost 1/3 of the general adults (about 63.6 million) are obese. Less than 1/3 of the U.S. adults (65.4 million) have a healthy weight range. In estimation, 17.5% of the kids aged 6 to 11 and 17% of teenagers (ages 12 through 19) are overweight. Between 1960 and 2004, the percentage of U.S. adults ranging from 20 to 74 years of age made a significant increment from just under 45% to 66%. Among the U.S. women, minorities stand a higher chance of being overweight compared to non-Hispanic white women. The statistics for males in U.S. did not make such a great difference.
• Increased Risk of Disease
– Being obese increases a child’s risk for some serious childhood medical problems, including:
– Asthma
– Pre-diabetes and diabetes: (a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime)
– Heart disease, high blood pressure (early indicators of atherosclerosis, the most common cause of heart disease, begin as early as childhood and adolescence in children with risk factors. Atherosclerosis is related to high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are associated with poor eating habits and overweight)
– Sleep apnea and breathing problems
– Bone conditions, such as hip problems
– Gastro-intestinal diseases
– Early puberty
– Psychological problems, like poor self-esteem and depression
– Obese children are more than twice as likely to have diabetes as nonobese children
The only way to fight the obesity epidemic is by losing weight. Losing weight can make you look good, feel better and live healthy. Of course, it is not easy to lose weight. But if you follow the right weight loss techniques, it need not be very difficult either.
To derive consistent results from your weight loss efforts, it is important to follow the right weight loss strategies. Fad diets will only make your problem worse.