Posted on October 31, 2007 in Latest News
Obesity rates in U.S.A. are soaring.
- Between the years 1980-2000, adult obesity rates almost doubled. Now almost 30% of the adult population i.e. around 60 million adults is obese.
- Similarly, child obesity rates have doubled since 1980, and tripled in case of teenage obesity.
Facts about obesity related adverse impacts on young population:
- Earlier it was believed that only adults are affected by Type 2 Diabetes but now it is being diagnosed amongst obese young people.
- Earlier the presence of Type2 Diabetes in children is rare, but now almost half the diabetic children are of Type 2. Obese children suffering from Type 2 diabetes suffer from various related conditions like amputations, kidney problems and blindness.
- 61% of 5-10 year old children have at least one heart disease causing factor and about 26% have more than two heart disease causing factors.
Facts about the healthy behaviors in American:
The primary obesity causing factors are preventable and well known in the society - unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Many Americans ignore this, and here is what research studies have to say about
- Only 25% of the adults and less than 25% of the teenagers include the suggested 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits in their daily meal.
- 50% or more of the American adults do not do the suggested amount of physical activities.
- More than 1/3 of the young Americans do not engage themselves in regular vigorous physical activities.
Facts about obesity-related costs:
- Straight health costs attributed to obesity had been estimated to be $52 billion in the year 1995 and $75 billion in the year 2003.
- Over the past 2 decades the hospital cots of obese children and teenagers have raised triple times. During the year 1997-1999 the hospital costs were approximately raised to $127 million compared to $35 million in the year 1979-1981.
- In the year 1996, approximately $31 billion were spent on the treatment for cardiovascular disease among the adults i.e. almost 17% of the medical costs spent on obesity.
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