America is getting fatter, unhealthier, and spending more money on health care costs than ever before. The 2008 obesity statistics have just been released. Adult obesity increased in 23 states compared to the previous year. These are alarming numbers; and the United States needs to take immediate action!

American obesity rates are not only affecting adults, but unfortunately children as well. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 1980. Mississippi has a child obesity, and overweight rate, for kids ages 10-17, of a whopping 44.4%. These alarming numbers equals future trouble! Troubling obesity statistics like these translates into hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even premature death. Along this these horrible medical conditions, it sure looks like health care spending is only going to get worse if something isn’t done real soon.

It has become so bad that 31 states are now reporting obesity rates over 25%. Just to compare, in 1991, not one single state topped 20%. In 1980 obesity statistics showed an average of 15%.

In the study conducted by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Mississippi had the greatest adult obesity rate at 32.5%.  Colorado was the leanest at 18.9%.

Check your states obesity statistics.

What is even more alarming is not one state showed a decrease in obesity from the previous year. Childhood obesity is of great concern. Overweight, and obese children turn into unhealthy, at risk adults riddled with bad eating, and physical activity habits formed in their younger years.

What is causing these alarming statistics?

Some might say the economy. Some say stress, and plentiful inexpensive food. I personally feel it is a combination of factors starting with lack of nutrition education, portion size advancements, and a decrease in physical activity. Another contributing factor is our busy, stressed out lives.  Most people grab higher calorie foods on the go, instead of planning, and preparing sit down family dinners. We seem to be much busier, and more stressed than we were in 1991.

The bottom line is America needs to issue a state of emergency on both adult, and childhood obesity. Action must be taken immediately starting with President Obama’s leadership.

If the United States wants to fix its health care system, then massive action must be taken immediately on both health care, and the preventative side of things. Change isn’t going to start in the hospitals, but in communities. This is very serious! Steps need to be taken immediately!

So what should the United States do to get the rates of obesity to reverse?

First off, there needs to be a greater awareness about what people are doing to their bodies by making poor nutritional decisions. It all starts with education. There should be public service announcements running on television, radio, and the internet educating people about making healthy food choices, and the importance of physical activity.

A great step in the education awareness sector started with calorie listing laws that began in California on July 1, 2009. All chain restaurants with 20 or more stores are required by state law to make available the caloric content, and other nutritional data upon request. On January 1, 2011, these restaurant chains will be required to list the caloric value on its menus. This is a step in the right direction, and should have a positive affect on obesity rates.  I am certain other states will follow suit.

It is a fact that 9 out of 10 people drastically underestimate the number of calories they take in each day. Calorie listing laws nationwide will make people aware of how many calories they really are ingesting. People will be surprised!

Portion control needs to be addressed. Americans today have no idea what a “normal” portion of food is. A press campaign should begin showing pictures of what a normal portion of food really is, and the amount of calories per portion must be clearly stated.

Physical activity needs to be promoted even more so than it already has. Exercise is not just for jocks. America needs to have a “just move” campaign. There needs to be a combination of education, and programs in place to help people. Physical activity needs to fit into peoples’ lifestyle.

A good example of an effective physical fitness program takes place in the City Of Santa Barbara, California. On Wednesday’s nights they have a citywide program called Night Moves. There are hundreds of people who exercise by the beach. Massive change needs to begin in United States communities. If people see massive amounts of people exercising, they will follow. An investment in a program like this will surely decrease health care costs.

After reviewing the 2008 obesity statistics, I decided there must be a massive call to action starting right now. That is why I wrote this article. These suggestions, and more need to be implemented as soon as possible to save the United States citizens, and innocent children from diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, hypertension, and premature death. This is a serious call to action that the United States needs to pay close attention to.

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