Being overweight has now become the norm, as more than 51% of America is overweight and more than 25% of all adults are considered obese. The American Heart Association (AHA) is constantly battling the problems created by a population that continues to literally eat themselves to death. The CDC in Atlanta, GA describes the problem of obesity as an epidemic of staggering proportions. The center's most current statistics demonstrate however that obesity is not evenly spread across the country and in more prominent in some areas than others. The statistics also show that obesity rates vary with such things as ethnic origin and social and economic conditions.
The central and southern areas of the US top the obesity league coming in at more than 5% above the national average while, by contrast, the north west of the country comes in at roughly 10% below the national average. The traditional food served in many southern states is without doubt a significant factor in the obesity rate for this area of the country. In addition, the ethic element, which is a significant factor in the obesity equation, is higher in the southern states.
By race, blacks have 51% higher rates and Hispanics have 21% higher rates of obesity than their neighboring white population. Blacks and whites in the south were more likely to be overweight than those in the west and northeast. Hispanics in the northeast were less likely to be overweight than those in the south and southwest.
Today many of our children are taking very little exercise and living a sedentary lifestyle which has led to a serious problem of child obesity. Children from low-income families are particularly effected and more likely to become overweight. Low cost highly processed foods that are the mainstay of many low-income families are thought to be a significant contributing factor. This increase in obesity is also thought to be the main reason for the up trend of diabetes in this segment of the population.
Public health institutions, insurance companies, schools and parents must all work together to defeat the overwhelming lure of high carbohydrate, high sugar and overly processed foods that are the staple of children in lower income families. A great way to start of course is with the education of both parents and children but many people believe that this is not as important as tackling the problem of access to affordable healthy food items for low-income households.
Obesity in the United States is on the rise and we have to watch its progress very carefully. And, sooner or later, the federal government is going to need to adopt a hand-on approach if the problem is not to spiral out of control. Exactly how the government can control the problem, or indeed should be allowed to intervene, is a hard question to answer.
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