Obesity rates within the U.S. are trending upward rapidly. An obese report was released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control. Those obese between 2007and 2009 raised by 2.4 million meaning there are now 26.7 percent of Americans considered obese, or rather 74.4 million. The report estimates the medical costs of obesity to be as high as $ 147 billion a year, and stated that medical costs for obese individuals were $ 1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
U.S. obesity rates increase faster than expected
CDC reports that there are now nine states, rather than the three there were in 2007, who have obesity rates at 30 percent or higher. Only Colorado and Washington, D.C. had obesity rates less than 20 percent. As reported within the New York Times, Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the CDC, said obesity rates have increased over the past several decades faster than anyone imagined they would, despite decades-long initiatives like the Healthy Individuals 2010 program. Because many individuals are becoming more obese, there is likely to also be an increase in cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
CDC obesity rates likely underestimated
Since the CDC used a survey where they asked 400,000 individuals what their height and weight was instead of measuring, which means the numbers which were received were probably too low. The Times noted that people tend to describe themselves as taller and lighter than they really are. The data was used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). An adult is considered obese with a BMI of 30 or above. A 5-foot-4 woman who weighs 174 pounds or more, or a 5-foot-10 man who weighs 209 pounds or more has a BMI of 30.
Failing Healthy Individuals 2010
A 1.1 percent increase in 2.4 million people is how numerous more are obese. Health News explains about the CDC obesity reports that a 30 percent or higher obesity rate didn’t exist in any state in 2001. When the CDC released their reports in 2007, there were 3 states at the 30 percent mark. 9 states could claim 30 percent by 2009. There aren’t any states below 15 percent which is where it was designed to be with the Healthy Individuals 2010 program began in 2000 by the Department of Health and Human services. Friedan noted that “past efforts and investments to prevent and control obesity have not been adequate.”
Society becoming ‘obesogenic’
Most people eat too much food that isn’t really healthy also as avoiding exercise within the CDC’s “obesogenic” society. An HHS survey explains that a 3rd of people that live an “obesogenic” lifestyle haven’t ever talked to a doctor about fixing their problems.
Further reading
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/08/04/health/nutrition/04fat.html?_r=1
Health News
healthnews.com/family-health/obesity-in-america-new-cdc-report-is-grim-reminder-4388.html
CDC
cdc.gov/obesity/
