Obesity is on the rise. The CDC released a shocking new report showing more than 72 million adults in the US are now obese. That is one-third of all Americans. So why is this happening and what can we do to slow the epidemic? Dr. Louis Aronne from New York's Presbyterian Cornell Hospital continues to report – "It was not a shock that the obesity rate by state found that in every state over 15% of adults are obese and in nine states that number is over 30% of adults." Yes, South Carolina is #5!
The average American is 23 lbs. overweight. Why is that increase happening? What is the reasoning behind that? There are a number of factors. It's not just that we're eating too much and we're not exercising enough, although that's clearly a part of the picture. But there are many subtle things that are going on that affect metabolism. For example, we no longer have to control the temperature of our bodies. We have air conditioning and heating systems to do it. There are medicines that cause people to gain weight. And there are many other factors.
We know that obesity is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke but people in our area tend to not care because 200+ lbs. is becoming socially and cultrally acceptable, Again, all of the factors are going in the wrong direction and that's added to our body's tendency to allow weight to go up. Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight will let you know it's a one-way trip. Your body lets you go up very easily. It doesn't want to let you go back down again. People who are obese, they're paying over $1,400 more a year for health care.
This is obviously having a tremendous impact on health care costs. And a good way to reduce health care costs would be to reduce obesity. For example, if we could get people to lose just 12 pounds you would reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 60%. Not just for a year or two years but for more than ten years.
Losing weight can be an uphill battle, but it can be done. Even small amounts of weight loss are a success. So people often achieve 10, 15-pound weight loss but they give up because they think it's not enough. It's not what they've seen people lose in a TV show but it's worth doing. Any weight loss is valuable weight loss and it's going to be good for your body.
Yes, we need to do something to stop this epidemic. Take a look at what our local TV station reports:
The average American is 23 lbs. overweight. Why is that increase happening? What is the reasoning behind that? There are a number of factors. It's not just that we're eating too much and we're not exercising enough, although that's clearly a part of the picture. But there are many subtle things that are going on that affect metabolism. For example, we no longer have to control the temperature of our bodies. We have air conditioning and heating systems to do it. There are medicines that cause people to gain weight. And there are many other factors.
We know that obesity is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke but people in our area tend to not care because 200+ lbs. is becoming socially and cultrally acceptable, Again, all of the factors are going in the wrong direction and that's added to our body's tendency to allow weight to go up. Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight will let you know it's a one-way trip. Your body lets you go up very easily. It doesn't want to let you go back down again. People who are obese, they're paying over $1,400 more a year for health care.
This is obviously having a tremendous impact on health care costs. And a good way to reduce health care costs would be to reduce obesity. For example, if we could get people to lose just 12 pounds you would reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 60%. Not just for a year or two years but for more than ten years.
Losing weight can be an uphill battle, but it can be done. Even small amounts of weight loss are a success. So people often achieve 10, 15-pound weight loss but they give up because they think it's not enough. It's not what they've seen people lose in a TV show but it's worth doing. Any weight loss is valuable weight loss and it's going to be good for your body.
Yes, we need to do something to stop this epidemic. Take a look at what our local TV station reports:
If I or our trainers can help you meet your fitness goals, please contact us - you can't afford to wait any longer! Lynette
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