Activate Allen County Newsletter August 2014 | Page 10
Obesity
Problem
Obesity is a national epidemic,
causing higher medical costs
and a lower quality of life.
1. Obesity is a national epidemic, caus- ◊◊People eat differently:
ing higher medical costs and a lower
quality of life.
◊◊Obesity means having excess body fat. Obesity
is defined by body mass index, or BMI, which
is calculated from your height and weight.
◊◊BMI greater than or equal to 30 means you
are obese.
◊◊Non-Hispanic black women and Hispanics
have the highest rates of obesity (41.9% and
30.7%).
◊◊Obesity is a contributing cause of many other
health problems, including heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
These are some of the leading causes of death
in the U.S. Obesity can cause sleep apnea and
breathing problems and make activity more
difficult. Obesity can also cause problems
during pregnancy or make it more difficult
for a woman to become pregnant.
◊◊Obese persons require more costly medical
care. This places a huge financial burden
on our medical care system.
2. Why is this epidemic happening?
◊◊Weight gain occurs when people eat too
much food and get too little physical activity.
◊◊Societal and community changes have accompanied the rise in obesity.
2
●●Some Americans have less access
to stores and markets that provide
healthy, affordable food such as fruits
and vegetables, especially in rural,
minority and lower-income neighborhoods. Restaurants, snack shops, and
vending machines provide food that
is often higher in calories and fat than
food made at home.
●●There is too much sugar in our diet. Six
out of 10 adults drink at least 1 sugary
drink per day.
●●It is often easier and cheaper to get less
healthy foods and beverages.
●●Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are
frequently advertised and marketed.
◊◊Many communities are built in ways that
make it difficult or unsafe to be physically
active:
●●Access to parks and recreation centers
may be difficult or lacking and public
transportation may not available.
●●Safe routes for walking or biking to
school, work, or play may not exist.
●●Too few students get quality, daily
physical education in school.