Depressing Statistics
Adult obesity rates are still rising…
Still, compared with 2008, obesity rates rose in almost half the states, and decreased in none. In four states — Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia — more than 30 percent of adults are obese. Eight of the 10 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South, and Colorado is the only state with a rate under 20 percent. Seven of the 10 states with the highest poverty levels are also among the 10 states with the highest obesity rates.
The trend is up sharply. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent, and in 1981 the national average was 15 percent.
The study, published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health, found that in 30 states, 30 percent or more of children ages 10 to 17 were overweight or obese.
August 12, 2009
A terrible problem, especially for the children. Obesity in childhood brings up a lot off problems, physically and mentally. Growing up obese would be awful.
Just came back from a trip to Virginia Beach for a week. When we went to the beach I would say at least 40% of the people there were overweight to obese.
Of course they were all eating the wonderfully healthy choices of food provided at the beach. NOT!!!
August 13, 2009
it seems like that as we experience what will probably become depression 2.0 here, we are now getting a “fat” bubble (no pun intended) and at some point it will have to burst. it seems there are just so many people going down the wrong path. it is sad for the kids because they really don’t know any better but then again, their parents aren’t so hot foodwise either.
August 13, 2009
The problem is people usually don’t like the sounds, looks, or taste of nutrtious food as much as they do the high-fat/sugar foods.
Most have no willpower to choose the better option.
August 13, 2009
Unfortunately, high-fat/sugar processed foods are deceptively cheap, so they end up on a lot more plates. Sad thing is, there are plenty of nutritious foods that are quite inexpensive, so it doesn’t have to be this way.
August 13, 2009
This is likely true for most…which is probably why so many people fail in their attempts to lose weight. While some people can make radical changes to their lifestyles across the board and make them stick, this isn’t true for most.
This is why I often bring up my husband’s success, because it was achieved by taking a more gradual approach: making modest changes in a stepwise, progressive fashion. It took a while, but he learned to like veggies, and now prefers them.
It’s like any other addiction: some people can quit cold turkey; others have to be weaned off.