Americans Need To Become The Biggest Losers
Posted: Saturday, July 19, 2008
by Roschelle Nelson
According to a report issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
, adult obesity in America increased by almost 2% from 2005 to 2007 in spite of wide-ranging efforts to encourage Americans to lose weight. These findings are most concerning to me as I have seen, on a daily basis, the harmful effects obesity inflicts on the human body.
Officials at the CDC are admonishing leaders on the national, state and local levels to step up their efforts to find solutions that will foster better dietary habits.
Three ways the center feels these goals can be achieved are by eating more fruits and vegetables, engaging in more physical activity and reducing the consumption of high calorie foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
It is very thoughtful of the CDC to try and solicit help with this epidemic on all scales - national, state and local. However, there are no national, state, or local officials with most Americans when they head out to their local grocery store and I'm sure when dinner is served and we sit down to enjoy this wonderfully prepared and most appetizing meal placed in front of us there aren't any dinner guest fitting this description present either.
On a lighter note (no pun intended), certain areas of the country are doing better than others.
For example, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi (wouldn't you know it) reported a 30% obesity rate while states like Colorado only had a rate of about 18%
Age, race and education also were factored in and the results varied in the following ways:
Age 50-59
Men 31.7% obesity rate
Women 30.2% obesity rate
Ages 19-29
Men 19.1%
Women 19.1%
(Not exactly sure what happened to my age group - ages 30-49; I guess we're all lean, mean, fighting machines)
Highest Prevalance based on Race/Ethnicity/Sex
Non-Hispanic Black Women 39%
Non-Hispanic Black Men 32.1%
Education levels
Lowest Among College Graduates 22.1%
Highest Among Those With Some College 29.5%
High School Diploma 29.1%
Women With Some College 17.9%
Less Than A High School Diploma 32.6%
Without stopping to analyze these findings any further, one thing is clear.
We as individuals, parents, wives, husband or partners must make healthy food choices and exercise a part of our every day lives.
I refuse to use the word diet. It's not a diet. It's a lifestyle change.
Obesity is a major contributing factor in the development of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and early onset arthritis.
Not that the above mentioned medical problems aren't enough because believe me they are. However, if you are unfortunate enough to have one of these health problems, the risk of developing problems from these problems is a concern.
Heart disease can lead to stroke, heart failure and/or heart attack.
Diabetes may lead to blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy, and/or issues with impaired circulation.
Hypertension can also lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and/or heart attack.
While arthritis appears to be the lesser of the evils previously mentioned, the discomfort associated with inflammatory joints and stiffness isn't a walk in the park either.
Take your health seriously. Research ways to cut calories and fat from your diet. Drink more water and a little bit less of everything else. Exercise on a regular basis.
Just a short 30-minute walk on a daily basis can do wonders for your health, life and physique.
The study of medicine validated for me something we should all be aware of.
The human body is a dynamic, sturdy, beautiful piece of work. Our Creator designed us with longevity in mind.
A steward, by definition, is a person who takes the responsibility of making decisions that will allow resources to be maintained for future generations.
Let us be the best possible stewards we can be over our body's, our health and our lives.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Roshelle you left the over 60 crowd out? Are we all over the line regardless of race? A look oive rthe shoulder could tell. Best wishes, RobertPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Valid point Robert (giggling). I think it's a conspiracy. (laughing). Thanks for commenting.RoschellePlease log in to respond to this comment.
hi Roschelle,this was a well written, interesting article that hits home with so many of us.i am going to start walking around my property every day. i already drink water all day. i'd love to lose a few pounds, and be healthy.thanks for sharing,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thanks for commenting Sue. Healthy is the key. I've seen so many people that were their ideal weight but still they suffer from several health issues. if you think health first (regarding food choices, exercises,lifestyle, etc.) that's most importantPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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