Health experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that over two-thirds of the adult population is now overweight, and about half of those people are fully obese. They also warn that over 17 percent of American children and teens are overweight or obese. Obesity has put a huge toll on the healthcare system. Experts have estimated about 325,000 deaths in the U.S. per year are linked to obesity, which makes it the second most preventable cause of death behind smoking. Obesity health-care costs have skyrocketed, topping $75 billion in 2003. Now the CDC has developed an interactive map demonstrating how American obesity rates have soared over the past 20 years. To combat the spread of obesity, the CDC has developed a state-based nutrition and physical activity program.
The CDC's interactive map indicates that southern states, including Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, have the highest rates of obesity in the U.S. Experts have determined that poverty and lack of access to healthy, safe food is associated with the highest levels of obesity. Studies have found that economic status is linked with weight. A 2006 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association found that teenagers living in poverty have a greater risk of being overweight than teenagers who don't live in economically depressed areas.
"Trends of increasing overweight showed a greater impact in families living below the poverty line vs not living below the poverty line among older (15-17 years) but not younger (12-14 years) adolescents," the study authors write. "Furthermore, physical inactivity, high consumption of sweetened beverages, and breakfast skipping may be candidate targets for prevention programs aimed at reducing this recently emerged disparity."
The CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases helps states develop nutritional and physical activity programs, to combat the spread of obesity. The state-wide interventions include school-based and community-based nutrition and physical activity programs, obesity prevention strategies in food assistance, health, education, and recreation programs, and training programs for health professionals.
REFERENCES:
1. Miech RA et al. Trends in the Association of Poverty With Overweight Among US Adolescents, 1971-2004. JAMA. 2006 May 24/31;295(20):2385-2393.
2. Overweight and Obesity: State-Based Programs, CDC, July 12, 2006:
http://www.cdc.gov/NCCDPHP/DNPA/obesity/state_programs/index.htm
3. Donnelly K. Obesity in America, MSN.com:
http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/default.aspx
Posted by Brad Chase on November 23, 2006 11:43 AM
