0 Obesity Could Affect 42% of Americans by 2030

Despite the efforts to help people become more aware of the risks of being overweight, obesity is on the rise. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. In 2009, Colorado was the healthiest state, and in less than a year, we lost the competition and joined our neighbor states. Today, among Americans age 20 and older, 149.3 million are overweight or obese. Among children ages 2 to 19, about 1 in 3 are overweight or obese.

What is it about obesity that is so scary? Obesity leads to stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other serious and costly conditions. Family history is not the sole culprit anymore; you can make it YOUR history by including yourself in that statistic and passing on your lifestyle choices. The harder you make your engine run, the lower its life span. Obesity also has severe financial manifestations. A healthy lifestyle might be associated with a higher income; yet, obesity is significantly more costly than fresh produce and exercise. According to a USAToday article, a new projection warns that 42% of Americans may end up obese by 2030, and 11% could be severely obese, roughly 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Let the gym be your doctor’s office and the produce section be your pharmacy. Don’t let obesity run in your family, make your family run.

What is your stance on fighting obesity? Share with us on Facebook. Getting the care and information you need, when you need it, isn’t too much to ask. Your voice matters!