How FAT is America? The Shocking Truth [infographic]

This might be the first generation where kids are dying at a younger age than their parents and it’s related primarily to the obesity problem ~ Judy Davis

How FAT is America? And how much is obesity costing the American people and its economy?

A recent study has shown that two-thirds of Americans are over their ideal body weight. This same study has also shown that nearly 36 percent of people in America are obese.

Obesity is defined as being more than 30 percent over one’s ideal body weight. Furthermore, United States has the 2nd highest obesity rate in the world.

Not only does obesity lead to a number of health problems and a shortened lifespan, but it is also very costly. In 2010, America spent over $160 billion on health care costs that were related to obesity.

It is also estimated that America spent $130 billion on employee absenteeism, short-term disability and decreased productivity. Furthermore, America spent a total of $450 billion on all obesity-related problems.

Experts are predicting that if current trends continue, then 42 percent of Americans will be obese by the year 2030. This means that America will be spending billions more dollars on obesity-related issues.

 

Source: Top Nursing Programs

 

There is so much conflicting information about diet and nutrition, and the public is rightly confused and mistrustful of current advice.  Weight gain and obesity is no sp prevelent in the West that I would be safe to say that I have a one in four chance that you, the reader, are obese. I have a two in three chance that you are overweight – I can add myself to that number.

So whats to be done about it?

It seems to me that if we are to find the cause we have to go back to the start of the epidemic (late 1970’s/early 1980’s) and we have to look at that changed.

Did you know that  obesity has increased up to ten fold since the USA and UK governments recommended that we “base our meals on starchy foods”.

Is this a coincidence or is sugar and starch the cause?

What do you think?

Are you struggling with managing your weight? What type of success have you had with different styles of diet? Are your attempts at shedding those extra pounds frustrating you? Let us know.

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