Fighting America’s Obesity Epidemic

Pamela Egan Practical Practitioner

 

By: Pamela Egan, FNP-C CDE

 

 

Fighting America’s Obesity Epidemic

 

 

The issue of obesity, now recognized as a public health problem, has reached epidemic proportions. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980, and overweight among adolescents has tripled. For many, being overweight is a lifelong difficulty. Obesity and overweight contribute to diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and many musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and back pain. The financial costs of these illnesses are staggering. In a recent press release, the U.S. surgeon general provided statistics related to obesity and overweight. The total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity amounted to $117 billion in the year 2000.

The psychological effects of being overweight or obese take their toll as well, especially in adolescents leading to poor self-esteem and depression.

We live in a world of conveniences. These conveniences have contributed to our becoming a more sedentary population. The adverse effect of this inactivity is compounded by the commercials that entice us to eat the bigger burger, snack on the sweeter treat or drink the higher-calorie drink.

As parents and members of our community we need to become involved, pushing for safer walking areas and more healthful meals on school and community meal menus. Good nutrition, food portion control and regular physical activity are essential to healthy living. We need to educate our children about nutritious snacks and alternatives to the junk foods that are so readily available. To encourage more physical activity and less television and computer game activity. We need to set an example by increasing our own physical activity and improving our eating patterns. The surgeon general’s office has announced a yearlong effort to develop a national action plan for reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States.

This article was originally published February 25, 2002 in The St. Tammany News.

 

PamelaEgan.com > Health Articles > Disease