America`s in trouble - BIG trouble! I know there are articles in your newspaper and online about the obesity epidemic in America. Well, I read a lot of articles, and I put together some current obesity statistics for you that I wanted you to be aware of. In 1962, the percentage of obesity in America was 13%. By 1980, it was 15%. By 1994, it was 24%. By 2000, it was
31%. And in 2006, it`s now close to 40%!
3.8 million Americans are obese with a BMI in excess of 30. Nearly 50 million adults between the ages of 20 and 74 are obese. Overall, more than 108 million adults or 61% of the adult population is either overweight or obese. Four hundred thousand Americans, mostly men, fall into the 400-pound category.
More than 50% of adult Americans do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. 25% of adults are not active at all in their leisure time. Less than 1/3 of adults engage in the recommended amount of physical activity of 30-60 minutes a day.
A weight gain of 11-18 pounds increases a person`s risk of developing Type II diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Besides diabetes, overweight and obesity are associated with heart disease, certain types of cancer, strokes, arthritis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, breathing problems, and psychological disorders such as
depression.
According to the CDC, the percentage of overweight children age 6-11 has nearly doubled since the early 1980`s, while the percentage of overweight adolescents has almost tripled. More than 1/3 of children in grades 9-12 do not regularly exercise, and physical activity and overweight adolescents
have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
The Surgeon General says obesity is responsible for 112,000 to 300,000 deaths each year. Aren`t these statistics staggering? Even though we know so much about eating and exercising, America`s waistline keeps growing, and now
the big question is why. I already think you know the answers. Not eating the right foods in the right portions, being inactive, and having little or no self-worth. I hope this column makes you think today and take better care of yourself.
Love,
Richard
Ouch! Boy, did Richard Simmons just dress me down. I know the stats, I know the problems, I know the solution and yet I move at turtle pace to get myself removed from being part of the obesity statistic. I am going to have to mull this over a few times. 
