Adult obesity rates currently exceed 25 percent in 31 states and pass 20 percent in 49 states. At 32.5 percent, Mississippi had the highest obesity rate, while Colorado was lowest at 18.9. Perhaps more important, is that child obesity rates are at an all time high across the nation.
The findings of the study, covering 26,706 children this year, took into consideration the weight and height of the children and arrived at the conclusion that only 37.6 per cent of the children weighed normal according to their height.
The study’s authors say the obesity problem is the result of a large number of factors including poor school lunch programs, cutbacks in physical education classes, junk food advertising to kids and the physical layout of towns that make walking and bike-riding dangerous activities.
Obesity rates have intensified in nearly half of the 50 states and the childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980
Health officials described the figures as “tragic” proof of an obesity epidemic forecast to blight the health of millions, via mounting rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even limb amputations.
Policymakers have no choice but to take actions that address the problem, or without doubt face repercussion when those obese kids become unhealthy obese adults Recommendations offered in the study include setting up a trust fund to step-up school and child-care programs that promote nutritious diets and physical activity.
The article does well to attribute this epidemic to poorly planned towns. Increasing the ability to walk and bike is essential to promoting more physically active lifestyles, not to mention cleaner, more environmentally sustainable communities.
I’m no fan of the “exurb landscape” in which you have to drive to get anywhere worth going, but the most glaring problem here is bad parenting. In cases of extreme childhood obesity, the household should be investigated. If it is found that the parents are stocking the house with junk food in spite of their child’s condition, they should be charged with neglect or abuse. Extreme obesity should also be grounds to declare a parent unfit, the same way alcoholism and compulsive gambling can be.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, even if they are not organic, and are in season are very expensive. Fish and lean meats are expensive as well. Most of the people in my neighborhood (middle income) need to purchase some processed foods as well as the whole grains, etc. to balance their budget. The neighborhoods typically aren’t safe enough for children to ride bikes, etc, so it is necessary to take them to soccer or baseball practice for exercise. Working all day and then going to sports practice for two or more children means that sometimes a Stouffer’s lasagna and a salad is the best one can do. I believe that this is the norm for most families and the children are still getting fatter. I read recently(can’t site the source), that the processed foods sold overseas by American manufacturers have more fiber and less sugar than the counterparts that are sold here in America, and that certainly doesn’t help the obesity problem.
That is a very good point, deborahsue1. It is indeed difficult for middle-income earners to afford a healthy diet, and it is even more difficult for low-income (especially minority) households. Not only do healthier foods generally cost more, the stores providing them are often located well out of reach of poor neighborhoods. While parenting of course plays a part, there are deeper causes which must be addressed by policymakers, and incentives need to be provided to grocers and producers to ensure that parents at least have the option to adequately nourish their children.