Obesity is a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. A few facts about obesity:
- More than 1/3 of adults in America are obese.
- Obesity affects 1 in 6 children in the United States.
- Obesity is linked to more than 60 diseases.
- Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults.
- Your waist size increases your risk for diabetes.
- Obesity causes more deaths than being underweight.
- Obesity is costly; people with obesity pay over $1000 a year more in medical costs
- Ethnicity can affect your likelihood of obesity.
- Obesity is most common in middle age.
- Older women are more likely to be obese than men.
- Americans are eating more calories than ever before.
*Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity-facts#1
The health risks associated with obesity are many; they include an overall increased risk of death from all causes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, and mental illness.
Because obesity is associated with such a wide range of health issues, understanding the numbers behind this trend is more important than ever.
Currently, about 36 percent of American adults are obese — more than 1 in 3. And, globally, more than 1 in 10 humans are obese.
*Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319902.php
According to Everyday Health’s website, here’s what you can do to lose weight or avoid becoming overweight or obese:
- Eat more fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
- Exercise, even moderately, for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Cut down your consumption of fatty and sugary foods.
- Use vegetable-based oils rather than animal-based fats.
So walk a little more, eat a little less — and do what you need to do to maintain a healthy weight.
*Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/obesity-prevention.aspx
Thank You for the motivation to get moving!