According to a new study in the February 2010 issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine conducted by researchers from Columbia University and the City College of New York, the years of quality life lost due to obesity is just as great as those lost due to smoking! This means that obesity will likely surpass smoking as America’s greatest health threat.
Then Now
The study was based on a survey of more than 3.5 million American adults from 1993 to 2008, and ranged in questions regarding health habits, poor health days, and perceived quality of life. In the study, smoking declined amongst participants by 18.5%, but obesity increased by a whopping 85%! Because of this, years added to life expectancy because of smoking reduction (good) are cancelled out by increasing obesity rates (bad). While we should applaud anti-smoking campaigns, we have another big public health danger in our midst.
Just how bad are overweight and obesity rates in America? Today, more than 33.3% of Americans are obese. A total of 66.7% of Americans are either overweight or obese. To put these numbers into some perspective, in 1980, 15% of Americans were obese, and if you take a look at the graph below, it is clear that obesity trends were steady before 1980. Not anymore.
*data from CDC
Obesity rates are increasing…really, really quickly. At this rate, it is reported that an expected 45% — almost half! — of Americans will be obese by 2020. Can you imagine? Seriously, take a minute and just imagine the country in 2020 with almost half of its citizens being at major risk for:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- arthritis
- sleep apnea
- stroke
- type 2 diabetes
On top of these risks, don’t forget the years of quality life lost. The trends are grim.
Both smoking and obesity are preventable. Anti-smoking campaigns helped reduce smoking. What do you think it will take to reduce obesity rates?
“Hungry” to know more? Sites Earth Fare visited for this post:
(1) http://tinyurl.com/l4ddz9 - F as in Fat 2009 Report by by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
(2) http://tinyurl.com/ydqjc5e- “Hazards of Obesity Now Rival Smoking in U.S.” (U.S. News & World Report)
(3) http://tinyurl.com/y8ps2a2 – “America’s Greatest Health Threat: Obesity” (BusinessWeek)
(4) http://tinyurl.com/yk5wydk- “Obesity Epidemic Cancels Out Anti-Smoking Gains” (NPR)
(5) http://tinyurl.com/meshol – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on Overweight and Obesity
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Why is obesity affecting Americans more than persons from other countries? I believe it is our portions and our processed ingredients. Thoughts…
Jennifer,
I suspect that you are correct. Most people in the US know how to heat a frozen meal in the microwave but probably don’t know how to cook a pot of brown rice (or any other whole grain). That’s very sad.
We must do a better job of educating people about the importance of what and how they eat. It’s not rocket science. I have a Masters Degree in Nutrition but you don’t need one to know that most fast food and processed food isn’t very good for you.
I will keep on educating people about the importance of eating more vegetables.
Poverty is the number one indicator of obesity in this country. If our food industry cared about health, there wouldn’t be MSG in nearly everything people eat (see MSGtruth.org and click on disease states, then obesity) and the “epidemic” would not be happening. We need to hold food manufactureres accountable for what is bought and sold as “food”, especially to the poor. We can’t continue to blame the victims …
In 1982/84, Coke and Pesi switched from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup as the sweetener in their sodas. Outside of the US, cane sugar is still used. Since the 80s, the US also went form 12 oz sodas as the norm to 24oz or greater (supersize 32oz anyone?).
The fructose in HFCS is not connected to the glucose as it is in table sugar from cane.
The latest studies indicate that fructose may not only overtax your liver (fructose gets absorbed into the blood stream after processing in the liver, not the intestine like other sugars), it is also a probable culprit in leptin resistance and insulin resistance, that is, making your body not know when it is full and also not know how to use the sugars for energy you do consume.
Look at the graph of obesity rate increase and when it begins…coincidence?
It makes me so sad that people think that being healthy is expense. Eating healthy should be an option at every price point! And the food industry has gotten away with feeding us the artificial stuff for too long. If you eat real food, it will keep you fuller longer, and you won’t have to eat as much of it (lowering the cost overall)! I hate this epidemic plagues our society right now.
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All you have to do is look around when you go out !
it is absolutely rediculous what people are doing to themselves. Marketing has completely turned the country into thinking that bigger is better… if you go to counties like France this isn’t an issue. Our portion sizes are 40% larger than just 30 years ago. No wonder we are all fatties.
Americans are getting fat thanks to huge portions, cheap and tasty calories (in part thanks to high fructose corn syrup) and a lack of exercise. We are a fast food nation. Many places have started offering more healthy choices but people still need to make the healthier choice.
Thank you for getting the dialogue going.
Jen, yes, we think portions and processed ingredients definitely have something to do with it!
Jill, thank you for educating people about healthy eating. It is so important, and we believe that knowing what you are eating makes it a lot more enjoyable!
Tess, thanks for the true note about poverty’s link to obesity. The causes of obesity are definitely complex. Yes, we wish all food companies cared about health, but unfortunately, this is not the case.
Troy, thank you for that educational bit! That is incredible — it does not seem like a coincidence.
Maria, we are with you in believing that eating healthy should be affordable!
Andrea, scary that it could be worse when you go out if we do not do something about the epidemic?
Portions have gotten out of control, Charleston personal trainer!
Forrest, indeed eating fast and convenient has become the norm in this country. We hope people will see that healthy does not mean cumbersome and tasteless!
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i BELIEVE THAT THE USE OF HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP HAS CONTRIBUTED THE MOST TO OUR DISEASE STATE. i AM OVERWEIGHT AND EAT TERIBLE, BUT, I AM EDUCATED ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER. ONCE I MADE A DECISION TO EAT HEALTHIER I WAS AMAZED BY HOW MANY THINGS HAVE HFCS IN THEM. OMG EVEN MY CHILDHOOD FAVORITE MOTTS APPLESAUSE NOW HAS IT. I DID KNOW ABOUT COKE AND WONDERED WHY IT WAS SO ADDICTIVE FOR ME YET DIDN’T SEEM TO TASTE AS GOOD AS IT USED TO. I THEN DISCOVERED MEXICAN COKE WITH CANE SUGAR AND NOW BUY THAT IF I HAVE TO HAVE A COKE.
obesity has gotten really bad is that cause of smoking and strees is that why?
I agree that some of the issue comes from ingredients – processed food, high carb saturation, hidden sugars – but I have read several comments geared toward portion size and how (fat) people don’t know how to stop eating. I agree that our portion sizes have increased, as well. But people have to remember that you can be healthy at any size. There are several other factors that determine size other than ingredients, portion size, and “control”. Genetics – which plays a part in every single other aspect, including alcoholism, drug use, health risks, mental health issues, eye color, hair color, etc. – health issues, lack of exercise, medication, stress, and even income. I think it is great that people are trying to get healthier, but it should be an all around effort to get people healthy. There are several “obese” or “overweight” (according to the INSURANCE charts) people who are very healthy, vegetarian or vegan, and there are several “thin” or “normal” people who are unhealthy. I think it is a little offensive to point the finger at fat kids and tell them they need to eat better when I believe that eating healthy should be aimed at everyBODY.
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Holly, Thank you for your perspective…I totally agree! I was one of those skinny people who was Very Unhealthy…and it lead to me being Obese and still Very Unhealthy! I have 100% changed the way I eat and am FINALLY getting healthy, but not losing weight due to some medication I am on. Hopefully I can get off of it soon and lose the weight, but in the meantime, I am learning and doing all I can…and from what I’m learning, I think it is URGENT that we teach people about the bad things they are eating – the sad truth is that they DON’T KNOW!!! I’m so glad I found this site…I think we should help and challenge each other to teach others!
Public education and support will be the key if were going to reverse this alarming trend. South Carolina ranks 5th in the country in obesity and 1 out of 3 children are overweight. We’re going to have serious health care issues for this generation unless we turn the corner and get our communities healthier.
it is already quite an epidemic in the US and i guess it’s not only in US but to other neighboring countries as well. while smoking has been slowly phasing out of the scene, obesity is just more likely being into smoking-problem. i guess our lifestyle and the food that we eat nowadays have been a very influential part of obesity problem.
bariatric surgery
It is a matter of self discipline. It is not easy, but if I drop off, I just pick myself up and start fresh the next meal or the next day. I feel so much better when I eat well. I choose fresh colorful raw vegetables most of the time. We eat at home most of the time because it is hard to find healthy meals at restaurants. When we do eat out, we choose the healthiest, lowest sodium meals available. I check the menu at the restaurant on the website before we go and we plan in advance what meal we will order. If we splurge for a dessert, we share. We drink water also. We exercise every day also. It is rare that we cannot work in a few walks with our dog, a long bikeride, or just running/jogging/jumping in place. I use light weights several times a week to help keep my bones strong. We also keep books on healthy eatting/living to share with each other and help keep us motivated. We highlight the things we need to remember.
Good thinking people here. Wish more would learn about it. I know it is hard to remind ourselves to check in on these blogs once in a while.
So,,,,,what is Fast Food? I go in to a market to buy produce-whether it be fruit, vegs, nuts/seeds or healthy soup(not processed, all made up by the store with whole ingredients). This is real fast food!
Next,,,,,Make up your own meals ahead if you are busy and stick them in the frig. Juices-vegee/fruit/greens-make your own with a twin gear machine that really extracts all the liquid nutrients out. I put it in mason jars and make up 3 or 4 days worth ahead of time. Don’t buy in to the “Enzyme” concept. It is a lie and another way to lure those needing more health into a cult mindset.
If you eat meat or fish or birds,,,,eat responsibly.
You, will, I guarantee, in a 50 year period save over $250,000. Probably, a whole lot more.
I love you folks.
Art
** “The Whole Truth & Noting But TheTruth!!!” **
~~ This is a statement of “Realism”! ~~
I feel that it’s the old “Denial / Justification by Manipulation” emotinal grasp! By this, I mean that we all find Any/Many Excuse(s) to define our Backsiding/Lukewarmness, ex: “Just This One More Time, Then That Will Be The Last!” or “I’m Just A Little Over Weight!” or “A Little Fat Is Good For You!” or “I’m Not As Fat As Others!” When we all use those perceptive reasonings (as well as many others), then history will most definitely repeat itself. The most effective approach, is to keep walking (or in many cases RUN) forward & ever look back. When one hesitates &/or looks back, cyclical effects will be generated, which then, perceptive reasoning will be that they tried & it doesn’t work for them. Also, many will respond to the fact that they keep company w/ the situation(s) (people, jobs, relatives, etc…) that they want/need to avoid. But by far the “Most Devastative & Self Destructive Manipulation” is, “We’re All Are Going To Die Sooner Or Later!” The Real Truth that is hidden is that the Quality of life is severely compromises, effecting us all by Mucher Higher Insurance Rates, Much Higher Health Care Cost (Dr/Hospital Bills) & Emotional/Mental, Physical & even Spiritual strains. Also, when someone says that the Only person that they’re Hurtiing is themself, then they are in a Delusional Dense Fog. When someone has a Heart Attack, Stroke, Diabetic Coma, etc… while driving & serious injures or kills another, then that statement is completely out of context & completely misstated.
Finally, Many blame their “Inheritance”. If this is true, then what about “Smokers, Thieves, Rapists, & Murders”? Let’s say that, if there might be any truth to that statement , then those certain cases should exercise extreme precaution as well as try extra hard to be determine to avoid all stituations that might/will effect them even in the slightest way. “Physical Excercising w/ Determination is an Excellent Achievement!”I feel that unless we take Full Control & Full Responsibility w/ Full Accountability, we will Never Excel, Exceed or Succeed. In the HOLY BIBLE, Proverbs states: That a Truly Wise man can’t be kept down, no matter what happens. But a fool remains down & complains. Also, CHRIST stated , “Remember Lot’s Wife!” (Genesis chptrs 18 & 19) This is reality! >>>Art’sHeart<<<
PS: Love is the Whole Truth & The Whole Truth is Love
i think parents need to step up to the plate and be a better role model:( im 15 and in shape but parents its not just kids..
Muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue so excersising wont nessisarily help you loose weight im struggeling with weight and so is my family please pray:)
Excess weight is not a problem. Weight is mass times gravitational excelleration. It is impossible to have excess weight. What you mean to say is you are struggling with excess FAT. Excess FAT is the problem. If you measure your success by scale weight alone, you will be sorely disappointed again and again. If you exercise, you may gain lean body mass (muscle) as a result of your physical activity, causing your scale weight to go up, yet if you burned fat over the same period of time between weigh ins, you may see no change in weight due to decrease in fat and increase in muscle.
Measure your body fat percentage with an Accu-Measure skinfold caliper at the iliac crest skinfols site, and then weigh yourself. The percentage listed on the chart that came with the caliper will tell you what percent of total weight is fat. Then you can create a calorie deficit that is 15-20% lower than your total daily energy expenditure and weight train to maintain lean body mass while losing fat. For a more thorough explanation, consult Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle by Tom Venuto. He is a national champion natural (steroid free) bodybuilder who has single digit body fat and is a certified personal trainer. I am using his advice now and went from 18.9% body fat to 10.5% body fat over a three month full time college term.