| Search Sensei Talks |
|
|
| Labels |
|
|
|
| Friday, July 10, 2009 |
| How Overweight is Your State? |
I really don’t like all the lists that come out these days. There are lists for the most beautiful people, greatest vacation spots and best fast food choices, just to name a few. However, one list that I do think is important to look at is the one that will tell you how overweight your state is. The FDA has published their state by state obesity list. The list ranks states in order from the most overweight to the least. Even thought I don’t like these types of lists, this one is important because it sheds yet another light on the ever increasing obesity problem in this country.
The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased from 13% to 32% from the 1960s to 2004 according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Human Nutrition. This increase in obesity has in turn increased health care costs. Overweight and obesity contribute to diseases such as stroke, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. These conditions put a great amount of strain on our already imperfect health care system.
With such an obsession over dieting and fitness, many people wonder why our obesity rate is so high. According to the CDC, most people still do not practice healthy behaviors that can help prevent obesity. The CDC lists the following facts on their website:
- Only about 25% of U.S. adults eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- Less than 25% of adolescents eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- More than 50% of American adults do not get the recommended amount of physical activity to provide health benefits.
- More than a third of young people in grades 9–12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.
Knowing that as a country we have a high rate of obesity, I think it’s interesting to look at the rate in individual states. Mississippi topped the list for the fifth year in a row with 32.5%. The next few included Alabama, West Virginia and Tennessee. They were all above 30%. The states with the lowest obesity rates include Colorado, which had the lowest rate, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. We can learn from the habits and lifestyles of people in the states with low rates of obesity. It may be the types of food eaten in a certain area or the level of activity or even the availability of certain foods.
Trends and issues in some states may be leading to high rates of obesity. Clearly, economic factors come into play as well. Many people find it harder to eat healthy with limited money. Some of the least obese states have some of the highest income levels. That being said, you can probably guess that I don’t agree with the concept of not being able to eat healthy on a budget! You can search our blog to find tons of great low cost food options.
Education level may play a part as well. The government needs to get more realistic about educating the public. Education material should be made readily available in food stores, libraries, etc. Education needs to start early. The rate of obesity in children has also continuously risen in many states. Child obesity rates in the U.S. have tripled since 1980. States often cut physical fitness and health programs in schools to save money. These changes can lead to high costs for our government and health care system in the future.
Overall, I recommend my same old boring (but effective) strategies to decrease obesity in the U.S. My strategies involve moving your body! Do some sort of exercise five days per week. It doesn’t have to be organized. Do whatever you like…just move. I also recommend increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables and decreasing your intake of processed foods. Lastly, get some sort of support. People need guidance and encouragement and it can come from various sources. It’s so important that we reverse this trend before we have a rate of obesity so high that we will not be able to take care of all the health issues associated with it.
- Jennifer
Related Articles
Sensei Talks: Obesity Rankings Show Americans are Bigger than Ever
CDC: Overweight and Obesity – U.S. Obesity Trends 1985-2008
Labels: Jennifer, Obesity
|
posted by My Sensei @ Friday, July 10, 2009   |
|
-->
add to del.icio.us
|
|
| 1 Comments: |
-
I like this post just because it should get people thinking even though they hear this all the time. And like you, yes, I say just move! Play.. do anything! When I was young, physical ed was mandatory in school. I think it is a shame that we have now gotten to a place where they can't afford it in schools! Isn't the health of children important along with the books part of it! Yes, I hated it at times but it did get us moving during the day vs. just sitting there.
|
| |
| << Home |
| |
|
|
|
|
I like this post just because it should get people thinking even though they hear this all the time. And like you, yes, I say just move! Play.. do anything! When I was young, physical ed was mandatory in school. I think it is a shame that we have now gotten to a place where they can't afford it in schools! Isn't the health of children important along with the books part of it! Yes, I hated it at times but it did get us moving during the day vs. just sitting there.