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We all know someone who is living with a disease or who died from one. Nevertheless, some people suffer with disease and some people do not. Why is this so? To answer this question, we have to know what keeps our bodies healthy. Let’s start by looking at a group of related diseases - overweight, obesity, in Part I, and type 2 diabetes in Part II to follow. These diseases put us at risk for the many other diseases that cause suffering and early death among Americans. Then in Part III, we will look at a likely cause and solution. Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the three top diseases in our nation. Science and technology are discovering new and improved methods of treatment, however these diseases are still on the rise. Overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes are now heading to the top of the list of chronic diseases, and they are not likely to stop based on the statistics below. Just look at the obesity trends! During a 25-year period in the United States, there was an increase in obesity from 10%-14% in 1985 to over 30% by 2010. Over one-third of U.S. adults – more than 72 million people, and 17% of U.S. children are obese. From 1980 through 2008, obesity rates for adults doubled and rates for children tripled. These are scary statistics. We are not getting healthier; we are heading down the path to poorer health. Children and adolescents develop obesity-related diseases also. In the past, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes only occurred in adults. But now 70% of obese children 5 to 17 years old have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thirty-nine percent have at least two risk factors for CVD. Why Is This Important? Obesity is a well-known risk factor for the three top diseases in our country – cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and stroke. It starts with overweight, which advances to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Complications can occur, giving way to more health challenges. Health Costs for Obesity In 2008, obesity-related medical care costs were estimated to be as high as $147 billion. From the periods 1979 to 1981 and 1997 to 1999, annual child and adolescent hospital costs increased from $35 million to $127 million, respectively. This is over 3 ½ times obesity-related medical costs during the 20-year period. By 2008 they reached over four times as much. Wow! References 1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html retrieved 3/17/11 2. http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/obesity.htm retrieved 5/23/11 3. http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/obesity.htm retrieved 5/23/11 4. http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/ddt.htm retrieved 5/23/11 Jane Falke’s work is devoted to a healthy and natural diet and lifestyle. Give your body the nutrients needed to give you the energy to sustain your life, stave off disease, and slow down the aging process. To help you with your nutritional goals toward better health, she would like to share this Guide with you completely free! Discover What Food Labels Don’t Tell You! Visit www.janefalke.com. While there you may also read articles, find recipes, contact me for nutritional coaching and read a Free Chapter of Eat Healthy. Be Healthy at Any Age!
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