Scary Stats: Obesity

Today's scary stats are going to shed light on the other side of the weight issue: Obesity. Obesity is quickly approaching the top of the "leading cause of death" list, and should therefore be taken very seriously.

Of course, most people reading this blog are thinking "ok I wanted to lose weight, I didn't say I was obese..." and you're super offended. Don't be, I just want to remind you of all the things that won't be happening to you because you've chosen to be responsible for your health and wellness.

Although the topic has been debated, several popular ingredients found in today's super markets have been found to increase your chances of becoming obese. Now if you don't subscribe to this line of thinking, consider for a moment that they are right. What if all these things, like high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils, and artificial colors really are somehow increasing your appetite, and/or slowing down your metabolism, and/or causing cancer? What if they are?

Isn't the slight possibility enough of an excuse to just give it a shot? Chances are you tried plenty of diets, and they've all failed, or you wouldn't be here. So now let's pretend that you're new diet is to listen to the hippies and eat organic vegetables, and sustainably raised meats.

· USA Obesity Rates Reach Epidemic Proportions

·

o 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese

o Eight out of 10 over 25's Overweight

o 78% of Americans not meeting basic activity level recommendations

o 25% completely Sedentary

o 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990

· Obesity Related Diseases

o 80% of type II diabetes related to obesity

o 70% of Cardiovascular disease related to obesity

o 42% breast and colon cancer diagnosed among obese individuals

o 30% of gall bladder surgery related to obesity

o 26% of obese people having high blood pressure

· Childhood Obesity Running Out of Control

o 4% overweight 1982 | 16% overweight 1994

o 25% of all white children overweight 2001

o 33% African American and Hispanic children overweight 2001

o Hospital costs associated with childhood obesity rising from $35 Million (1979) to $127 Million (1999)

· Childhood Metabolic and Heart Risks

o New study suggests one in four overweight children is already showing early signs of type II diabetes (impaired glucose intolerance)

o 60% already have one risk factor for heart disease

· Surge in Childhood Diabetes

o Between 8% - 45% of newly diagnosed cases of childhood diabetes are type II, associated with obesity.

o Whereas 4% of Childhood diabetes was type II in 1990, that number has risen to approximately 20%

o Depending on the age group (Type II most frequent 10-19 group) and the racial/ethnic mix of group stated

o Of Children diagnosed with Type II diabetes, 85% are obese

I went ahead and bolded the 78% of Americans not meeting the basic activity level... Ouch. That one stung a little. I've been that American, which I blame mostly on the beginning of TRL and my strong aversion to sunlight as a teenager... Not anymore folks!

I haven't updated "My Regime" in quite awhile, because... well, it hit a snag. But I'm back on the wagon folks and you'll be happy to know that I most certainly do not consider myself among that 78%.