Americans get failing marks for increasing obesity
July 15th, 2009By Sara Wolfson
There’s a handy interactive map accompanying the Trust for America’s Health new report, titled “F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing America.” The results of the 2009 edition are fascinating — and frightening. Adult obesity rates dip below 20% in just one state (Colorado.) The percentage of obese and overweight children is under 25% in only three states (Utah, Oregon, and Minnesota), and nearly half of Mississippi’s children are obese. Perhaps most stunning of all are these facts:
- The percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.
- Not only did adult obesity rates not decrease in the past year—it actually increased in 23 states.
Despite national attention paid toward the immense health care costs of obesity, Americans have failed to measure up (in a matter of speaking.) With a demonstrated link between public health and community design — especially for our children — this report should serve as a warning sign: if we continue to build communities that remove walking and other forms of incidental exercise from everyday life, American waistlines will only continue to expand. And we’ll continue spending billions addressing the costs of obesity.
Any meaningful health care proposal coming from Washington must consider the impacts of the built environment — from pollution and emissions to how much we walk or bike — if we’re going to ever begin focusing on preventative rather than prescriptive medicine.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Childhood obesity is very alarming. Parents’ role is very important to keep their children physically fit. Treating their children for an outdoor get away could help to allow their children to be more interactive rather than a house bum.