Obesity is more common now in the US than ever before. In the last decade the number of people who are obese has increased exponentially, with some states reaching historic highs. This problem is increasingly common, and has become so bad that schools have been forced to revamp their menus.
NBC reported last year that the number of obese adults increased in six US states and that no decline was recorded in any of the states. To put the problem in perspective, twenty states reported that 30 percent of adults were obese. Mississippi and West Virginia topped the charts with 35.1 percent of their adult population being listed as obese.
The health problems that come with obesity are numerous. A study released by The Lancet shows that 10 percent of all gallbladder, kidney, liver, and colon cancers are all linked to being obese. Uterine cancer has a huge tie to obesity, with 41 percent of all cases being directly linked to being overweight.
So how can we fight this growing epidemic of overweight Americans? The obvious answer is diet and exercise, but it might not be that simple. Our society depends on fast food and microwave dinners that are chocked full of fat. While the government has become involved by mandating menu changes in public schools, that alone is not enough.
In order to combat this growing epidemic we need to revamp our entire thought process regarding food and exercise. Simple steps, like parking farther from the door in public parking lots, making a detailed shopping list of items we need, and planning a more healthy menu all go a long way toward helping us get on the right track.
With deadly diseases showing more ties to obesity every day, choosing to be more active and healthy could save our lives.
What do you think about the obesity problem in America? How can we deal with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
