A new study at John Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health revealed 75% of American will be overweight, and 41% obese by the year 2015. Both of these numbers shocked me! It seems Americans continue to gain weight even though they are reminded that obesity is an epidemic.

The ramifications of this obesity epidemic are significant! According to the study, Americans have increased in body fat .3 to .8 percent each year for the last 30 years across a wide variety of socioecomonic groups. From the 1960’s to 2004 the obesity rate shot up from 13% to 32%, and is continuing to rise.

Among the largest groups involved are of the lower socioeconomic bracket including non-Hispanic black women and children, Mexican-American women and children, white women and black men of low socioeconomic status, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.

If this epidemic isn’t stopped it will cause a major drain on our health care system. Peoples’ lives will be cut short, and the cost of medical services will continue to skyrocket.

Now what can be done other than consistent education via television, radio, and public service ads? I propose using money to fight American obesity.  I believe the United States Federal Government should offer a rather large tax break for individuals who maintain their weight. Perhaps doctors can track this information. I don’t have the details worked out, but this is an idea to get people to take action. The “fear of loss” might motivate Americans.  If they maintain or lose body fat weight, they get a tax break. However, if they gain a certain amount of weight (body fat, not muscle), they lose the tax break.

A similar idea can be applied to health insurance. If people maintain their weight their health insurance premiums will decrease. If they gain body fat, they pay a much higher premium.

Something drastic needs to be done! I feel hitting Americans in their pocket book might just be the solution.

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