The average non-obese healthy adult gains about one pound per year, according to a study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) involving 120,877 people over a twenty-year period. Obesity is defined as 20% over one’s ideal body weight for a given height.
A report entitled “F as in Fat,” sponsored by healthcare’s Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows some very disturbing findings, indicating that the time-honored advice “eat less and exercise more” has not been successfully followed:
- Adult obesity rates increased in 16 states and failed to decline in any.
- Twelve states have obesity rates over 30%, whereas only one state was at that level in the past.
- Obesity rates exceed 25% in two-thirds of states.
- Over the past two decades, seven states have doubled their rates of obesity.
- About a decade ago, no state had an obesity rate above 24%, whereas now 43 states have higher obesity rates than the state with the highest rate in 2000.
- Colorado’s rate of obesity, currently the lowest, would have been the highest rate in 1995.
The result of weight gain is chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. One theory is that obesity is the most common cause of cancer. Colon cancer, breast cancer, and a few other types of cancer have been associated with diet, particularly excess fat intake.
Lifestyle behaviors determine one’s weight. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, and processed foods cause the most weight gain. Potato chips are singularly the largest contributor to weight gain, with cooked potatoes, unprocessed red meats, and processed red meats following in that order. The old advertising slogan, “Bet you can’t eat one,” is an understatement; chips are the most noxious snack we consume.
On the other hand, consuming vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and yogurt not only helps to control weight but also is clearly associated with weight loss. While vegetables are more effective than yogurt in weight loss, both are infinitely better than weight-gainers such as the full range of chips.
Physical activity, while helpful, is ineffective unless one also watches diet—particularly during the aging process. People who consume alcohol, smokers who quit, individuals who sleep less than six hours or more than eight, and those who spend many hours watching TV, all gain weight. This finding, incidentally, is another good reason never to start smoking. TV watchers experienced an average weight increase of a third of a pound for each hour of television watched. Without a doubt, losing weight is more difficult than avoiding gaining weight in the first place.
Fortunately, we are now fighting back against the battle of the bulge. Twenty states have school meal standards that are more stringent that those suggested by the Department of Agriculture. Twenty-nine states including Florida do not allow unhealthy foods to be sold on school campuses. Physical education is making a comeback as the risks of a sedentary lifestyle become understood. Twenty-one states measure body mass index in children and adolescents. Creating complete streets encourages walking, biking, and public transportation.
At the Federal level, the Patient Protection and Affordability Act funds a prevention effort aimed at improved nutrition and increased physical activity. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act also helps in these efforts as society aspires to feed everyone appropriately.
America has been the fattest nation in the history of civilization according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Fortunately, policy makers have started to recognize the problem and to introduce controls. By finally addressing health needs, a difference can be made. So instead of saying to a friend, “I’ll meet you for lunch,” say “Let’s take a walk or hit the gym.” Both provide a healthier opportunity for friends to talk. Our nation has abundant resources; let’s use them to maximum advantage.