Shocking Obesity Facts
Most people do not take the problem of personal obesity seriously enough. Those few extra pounds you’ve put on certainly can’t have put you in the obese category, can they? After reading the following obesity facts, you may be surprised at just who is considered obese and how much it affects our entire society.
Today, obesity has escalated to twice the rate that had occurred in 1980. The truth is, of all the adults living in the US almost one third are obese! So, it is likely that you know someone who is afflicted with obesity or that you personally suffer from obesity. This has far reaching effects on our population and experts are saying that for the first time in 200 years we may see our life expectancy rates decline - all due to problems caused by obesity.
Today's young people will need to worry about getting sick and dying sooner if they continue to get obese. Not to mention that society suffers from the cost of the additional medical costs that these health issues create.
Obesity doesn't just apply to those who are too large to leave their houses. An obese person is a human being that weighs 20% greater than the "average" mass for their altitude and age. Life insurance companies use a chart to show what people at different heights should weigh in order to be what they deem is a healthy height to weight ratio, check out one online - are you obese?
The difference between obesity and chubbiness can be determined through more precise scientific ways. People use their body mass index to check the amount of fat on their body more often now. The definition of obesity is having a BMI of greater than 30.
The obesity facts concerning children are the most shocking. The obesity rate for children and teens is rising rapidly due to kids spending more time watching TV and eating a wide variety of fattening snack that have no nutritional value. Formerly adult health problems are now affecting those under 18 years of age with greater frequency. These health effects include Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, poor sleep patterns, joint problems, liver disease, and emotional depression. Another problem is that obese children will likely become obese adults.
When adults are obese they can be riddled with severe health problems such as heart disease sleep apnea, stoke, cancer and gall bladder disease. This can make many people unhappy and cost everyone with higher health costs.
Why are obesity rates still climbing despite negative obesity facts? People in today's world can find it hard to stay healthy when adequate exercise and well-balanced meals are not easy to obtain. How many fast food burgers did you consume this week because you were pressed for time? It is no mystery why so many of us are overweight, since fewer than 24% of U.S. adults eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and many of us work very sedentary jobs.
Through proper exercise and food consumption, you can improve the quality of your life. There’s no time like the present to start. The only loss you'll suffer is your extra weight.