The latest CDC study on the prevalence of obesity in the US is out, and it unfortunately does not paint the kind of picture we had hoped for. Despite broad-based awareness campaigns and health initiatives designed to help people improve their weight, the number of Americans suffering from obesity is at an all-time high, with middle-aged African-American women faring the worst.
The study reports that nearly 38 percent of adults in the US are obese. This is up from 35 percent in 2012 and 32 percent in 2004. More alarming are the high percentages of obesity rates among black and Hispanic woman at 57 percent and 46 percent, respectively. And for those aged between 40 and 59, the likelihood of suffering from obesity is greater than in other age brackets.
While the study included only about 5,000 participants, the findings sound yet another alarm in our nation’s health care crisis. It has been repeatedly proven that obesity is often the root cause of a host of debilitating chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and even cancer. The health care costs associated with obesity are also staggering at over $190 billion annually. With an increased number of people afflicted by the disease of obesity, what does this bode for our country’s future?
While it may be tempting to point to overeating as the prime culprit in the rise in obesity rates, the maddening truth is that it is not easy to pinpoint the exact root cause. It is most likely a combination of factors, from food quantity and quality, physical activity levels, environmental influencers, medications, behavioral triggers, and on and on…
Because effective weight loss and long-term weight management are borne from the complexity of individual experience, it is more important than ever for Americans to pursue a solution that meets their own personal needs. As much as we’d love to believe it, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution or magic weight loss pill. For instance, this recent study shows a serious obesity crisis among black and Hispanic women, but the solution that works for them to improve their weight and health will almost certainly be different than a plan designed for white males. And even within each demographic category, there are exponential differences in effective treatment. It really all comes down to individual physiology and psychology.
But while obesity treatment is most effective at the individual level, we all must think about how the collective problem puts our country at major risk on several fronts, from national security to our ability to compete economically on the global stage. Think about it this way. If each and every individual in the country took the necessary steps to keep their weight under control, thereby minimizing their overall health risk, this would have a positive butterfly effect on the stability and health of the nation. It would be proof positive that the action of individuals can truly make a difference.
If you are unsure about your own health risk due to your weight, or don’t know where to begin to make a change, the first person you should speak to is your doctor or medical provider. He or she can make a diagnosis and start the process of getting you to a healthier state. If we want to see the next CDC study report a reverse of our startling obesity trends, it all begins with you. And we know you can do it.
