Obesity is an epidemic of excess. It is everywhere, in every neighborhood, school, and workplace. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern; it does impact the way we look but also can change lives forever. It can lead individuals to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, and high cholesterol. There are psychological effects connected with obesity. Obese children are more prone to depression, negative body image, and low self-esteem. Obesity can be stopped without the need for high-tech treatments or advanced medications; it begins and ends with the daily decisions individuals make (American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, 2010).
According to American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (2010), “One in three children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese” (para. 5); nearly triple the rate from 1963. Overweight children will have a …show more content…
Over 144 million Americans or 66 percent of adults 20 years and older are overweight or obese, and seven out of ten adults living in the United States are overweight or obese outnumbering those individuals at a healthy weight. Additionally, over 71 million or 36 percent of adults are classified as obese (American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, 2010). The yearly medical cost of obesity in the United States was estimated in 2008 to be $147 billion and the medical cost for those individuals who are obese was $1429 higher than those of healthy weight. Some groups more affected by obesity than others. Non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rate of obesity at 48.1 percent, next were Hispanics at 42.5%. The next group concerned is non-Hispanic whites at a rate of 34.5% and non-Hispanic Asians at 11.7%. Obesity is greater among middle age adults 40-59 years (40.2%) followed by older adults 60 years and older (30.7%) over young adults 20-39 years (32.3%) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
According to American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (2010), “One in three children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese” (para. 5); nearly triple the rate from 1963. Overweight children will have a …show more content…
Over 144 million Americans or 66 percent of adults 20 years and older are overweight or obese, and seven out of ten adults living in the United States are overweight or obese outnumbering those individuals at a healthy weight. Additionally, over 71 million or 36 percent of adults are classified as obese (American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, 2010). The yearly medical cost of obesity in the United States was estimated in 2008 to be $147 billion and the medical cost for those individuals who are obese was $1429 higher than those of healthy weight. Some groups more affected by obesity than others. Non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rate of obesity at 48.1 percent, next were Hispanics at 42.5%. The next group concerned is non-Hispanic whites at a rate of 34.5% and non-Hispanic Asians at 11.7%. Obesity is greater among middle age adults 40-59 years (40.2%) followed by older adults 60 years and older (30.7%) over young adults 20-39 years (32.3%) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,