Approximately ten million children and sixty-five million adults are obese and are at risk of many life-threatening diseases. Obesity can lead to many health issues, shorten your life and even cause death. Obesity is one of the most preventable diseases, so it’s essential to start doing your part and journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
As stated in the CDC, “Healthy People 2020 Objective: Reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults by 20%. The objective is based on age-adjusted prevalence estimates: 12.0% for ages 20 to 39, 19.7% for ages 40 to 59, and 25.9% for ages 60+. (Survey data were collected in 2011-2012). Obesity is a disease that can be identified early and treated.
People who are severely overweight are running the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Here’s a breakdown of the leading health problems for those who are obese:
Heart Disease
The American Heart Association has firmly stated that obesity leads to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. People who are severely overweight are at a higher risk of having a heart attack before age 45. More startling, obese children have a greater chance of suffering from a heart attack before age 35! The American Heart Association states that overweight people risk developing heart disease by 50% for women and 60% for men.
People who are overweight should drop 10 to 15 pounds to reduce their risk of developing heart disease. Adding exercise to a diet will decrease the chances even more.
Diabetes
Diabetes and obesity are two of the major killers of people in the United States today. Diabetes is a problem that affects approximately 20 percent of Americans and over 100 million people worldwide. The World Health Organization said more than ninety percent of diabetic patients worldwide have Type 2 Diabetes. Overweight people with BMI of 25 or more are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Those who are overweight or obese add to the development of diabetes because cells become more resistant to the effects of insulin.
Obesity is one of the leading factors for the development of insulin resistance, and this resistance can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Getting on a severe diet, dropping 10 to 15 pounds, and adding exercise to your life will decrease your risk of developing diabetes.
High Blood Pressure
This is the leading cause of death among Americans 25 years or older. High blood pressure increases with age and weight gain. Approximately 75 million people have high blood pressure or hypertension, which can lead to heart disease.
Various researches have shown obese patients suffer from increased blood volume and arterial resistance. Overweight people losing 8 pounds or more will significantly reduce the risk of high blood pressure and bring it to a safer level.
Cancer
The American Heart Association has stated that overweight patients risk increasing their chances of developing cancer by fifty percent. Women who are 20 lbs or more overweight run a higher risk of getting cancer. A weight loss program and losing 12 lbs can significantly decrease this risk. Add a regular exercise regimen, and the risks will be even lower.
Conclusion
If you are overweight or significantly obese, it’s time to get help and turn your weight around. The health risk associated with obesity and overweight is exceptionally high.
Talk with your doctor, find a program to help you lose significant weight, and discover how much better you will feel. The strain alone that you put on your heart every day is enormous!
Walking up the street without stopping to catch your breath, finding new energy levels, and knowing you are doing the right thing for you have got to feel good. Get with a friend or family member and go for walks in the park or elsewhere, but get walking and moving.
FAQs | Obesity in the USA
Is obesity the #1 killer in the US?
There is no one killer in the US, but obesity is a major health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity kills more than 350,000 Americans each year. This makes obesity the second leading preventable cause of death in the US.
How many people die because of obesity in the USA?
In the United States, obesity is linked to 112,000 deaths each year. That’s roughly one in every 10 deaths. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, after smoking.
What is the death rate from obesity?
The death rate from obesity is high. Obesity can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These health problems can lead to death.
What country is #1 in obesity?
The United States is the most obese country in the world. More than one-third of all American adults are obese and 17 percent of American children are obese.
Is Mexico more obese than the US?
According to the World Health Organization, Mexico is more obese than the United States. In Mexico, 70% of the population is overweight or obese, compared to 66.3% of Americans.
Which is the fattest country in the world?
According to the World Health Organization, the fattest country in the world is Nauru, with a rate of obesity of more than 70%.
