The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimate that the United States spent more than seventy-five billion dollars in health care relating to obesity. An incredibly large portion of the American population can be considered overweight — having a body mass index of twenty five or more.
Some of the worst offenders are in the south: Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Experts believe that a lack of access to healthy food is a huge contributing factor in obesity. The inability to obtain healthy, safe food on a regular basis is a common factor in many of the states showing up on the heavy end of the list. Other factors include hunger, and food insecurity.
This has led scientists to look at the relationship between economic status and weight. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found that teenagers who live at or below the poverty line have a greater tendency to be overweight than teenagers who do not come from economically depressed areas.
Unhealthy weight, plus physical inactivity and poor eating habits can put people at risk for developing chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, and heart disease.
So what can we do to help prevent obesity? You don’t have to dramatically alter your lifestyle; little changes can add up.
- Set a good example. Most adults don’t get the recommended minimum amount of exercise — thirty minutes of exercise, three times a week.
- Help your kids choose activity, not TV or video games.
- Watch your portion sizes.
- Switch soda for healthier drinks — water is best.
- Make sure the streets in your town are in good repair for walkers and bicyclers.
- Encourage family activity — why not challenge your neighbors to a friendly fitness competition?
- Exercise for a cause. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for somebody else! Participate in a walkathon for your favorite charity.
- Visit the farmer’s market to pick out fresh fruits and vegetables to snack on.