Obesity in the United States

Obesity in the United States

Obesity in the United States
HCA 340: Managing in Health Care & Human Services
Instructor: Beverly Bulliner
June 18, 2012

Obesity in the United States
According to statics the weights of children and adults have been on the rise here in the United States. Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rate in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese. If we do not solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma. (Harris, 1999) The United States has a weight problem, and the road toward obesity often starts with the choices that we make as young adults. Thirty-six % of us are overweight, and another 27% of us are grossly overweight or obese—that means about 6 out of every 10 Americans are carrying around way too much weight! (Witt, 2010, pp. ch:3,2) This, will increase insurance rates and put more of a burden on Medicare and Medicaid.
Thirty years ago, most people led lives that keep them at a healthy weight. Kids walked to and from school every day, ran around during recess, participated in gym class, and played for hours after school before dinner. Meals were home-cooked with reasonable portion sizes and there was always a vegetable on the plate. Eating fast food was rare and snacking between meals was an occasional treat. Today, children experience a very different lifestyle. Walks to and from school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Gym class and after-school sports have been cut; afternoons are now spent with TV, video games, and the internet. Parents are busier than ever and families eat fewer home-cooked meals. Snacking between meals is now commonplace....

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