Obesity is a Global Epidemic

Obesity is a massive undercurrent that is brewing and it’s about to hit a tipping point. There is a need for people to change the way they eat. However, it is not a simple condition of eating too much. Health experts believe that obesity is a serious and chronic disease prevalent in today’s society. We’ve been talking about obesity for a long time and this is not something new. But we’re at the point where obesity is an EPIDEMIC!! As a matter of fact, The Centre for Disease Control did a study and they found that the number of states in The US where 30% of the population is obese (not overweight, clinically obese) has tripled in the last two years.

Here are some stats for Canada released on June 20th, 2011:

• Approximately one in four Canadian adults are obese, according to measured height and weight data from 2007-2009. Of children and youth aged 6 to 17, 8.6% are obese.
• Between 1981 and 2007/09, obesity rates roughly doubled among both males and females in most age groups in the adult and youth categories.
• Across Canada, adult obesity rates vary from 5.3% in Richmond, BC to 35.9% in the Mamawetan/Keewatin/Athabasca region of SK.
• The economic costs of obesity are estimated at $4.6 billion in 2008, up about 19% from $3.9 billion in 2000, based on costs associated with the eight chronic diseases most consistently linked to obesity. Estimates rise to close to $7.1 billion when based on the costs associated with 18 chronic diseases linked to obesity.
• Factors that influence obesity include physical activity, diet, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, immigration, and environmental factors.

It affects our economy as well. Did you see those numbers? $4.6 billion dollars spent on obesity in 2008! THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. It’s a socio-economic issue as well. Are we, the taxpayers really paying for something that can be avoided? And not only is obesity affecting adults, it’s affecting our kids. Childhood obesity is a problem! As a matter of fact, some would argue that this next generation is the first generation in the history of the human species that may have a shorter life expectancy than our last. We are literally eating ourselves to death.

This is why you’re seeing Hollywood jump in, ‘The biggest Loser,’ ‘Celebrity Fit Nation,’ ‘Jamie Oliver,’ ‘Supersize Me’ – all these shows and documentaries, all talk about weight loss and the issues surrounding it. It’s because it’s an awful trend. Even Michelle Obama, the most influential woman in the US is running around talking about childhood obesity because she knows we need to change. This is because we’ve reached a boiling point and something needs to be done. We can’t keep going in the direction that we’re headed.

I’ve started a 90 challenge. I’m almost 1/3 of the way into the challenge to improve my health, weight and eating habits. What are you waiting for? This is your life, take charge!!!!!

Let’s change these stats together!

And I know that I’m not going to be part of those stats. If I can avoid it, I will OUTLIVE and OUTLAST!!

Sources:
– Blake Mallen of ViSalus Sciences
– Public Health Agency of Canada