Rising Obesity and Its Consequences

Oct 06, 2011 09:44 AM

By Dennis “D” Harper, DO, Isagenix Science Advisory Board Chair
I’m surely not alone in feeling alarmed when I read that the obesity epidemic is worse now than ever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently posted a website with a map of the United States showing the changes in obesity that have taken place over the last 25 years. I strongly suggest that you use this link and see for yourself.
Just to give you an idea of the gravity of the situation, I would like to share with you the following statistics:

In 1985, the highest state obesity rate was equal to or less than 14 percent. Six years later it increased.
In 1991, the highest state obesity rate was equal to or less than 19 percent. Six years later it increased.
In 1997, the highest state obesity rate was equal to or greater than 20 percent. Four years later it increased.
In 2001, the highest state obesity rate was equal to or greater than 25 percent. Four years later it increased.
In 2005, the highest state obesity rate was equal to or greater than 30 percent.
Currently there are 12 states that are in this category and one state is at 34 percent.
In 1990, 10 states were equal to or less than 10 percent obesity range.
In 2000, no states were in the equal to or less than 10 percent obesity range.
In 2010, no states were in the equal to or less than 20 percent obesity range.
Sixty-eight percent of the American population is considered to be either overweight or obese!

We must ask ourselves what 68 percent means for our future. We know that obesity is related to at least 40 diseases, a few of the most serious being heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. The medical costs for obesity are costing our country about $147 billion per year. The real cost, however, is to human beings as we confront emotional as well as physical decreases in quality of life that accompany obesity. Read rest of the story