U.S. Obesity Rate Ticks Up to 27.1% in 2013- adverse consequences for individuals and society – so, who do we blame for this?

2014

In a previous post I asked readers to list the actions and decisions in their lives that affected their current state in life. The point being we are the ones who largely determine our own fate. Here is a good example of that. Look at the chart below.

The lower-income and minorities have the highest rates of obesity and hence if you agree with the correlations, poorer health, higher health care costs and lower productivity on the job (and, by the way, higher incidents of on-the-job accidents).

So, whose fault is that? Certainly there is plenty of information out there about obesity and better eating habits, even the White House has been trying to educate Americans.

Some experts will tell you poorer Americans are obese because they are poor. While there may be an element of truth there, I don’t buy that as an excuse. The argument goes that poor people cannot buy healthier food because of access or cost; not an excuse. Simply look at the choices people are making at the supermarket checkout, even when using food stamp cards.

More relevant are those who are eating out, especially in a fast food restaurant. If you can afford to eat out, you have the ability to make choices in what you eat. Don’t believe me, observe for yourself.

People do have choices, not only in lifestyle, but in being informed, educated, and motivated. And in being an individual. Failing to effectively exercise those choices has consequences for the individual … and society.

And it’s not someone else’s fault‼️even given the massive advertising by the purveyors of junk food or is this too the fault of the 1%?

by Rebecca Riffkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the U.S., 27.1% of adults were obese in 2013, the highest rate measured since Gallup and Healthways began tracking in 2008. The obesity rate increased by nearly a full percentage point over the average rate of 26.2% found in 2012. As more Americans moved into the obese category in 2013, slightly fewer Americans were classified as overweight or as normal weight.

Some of the groups with the highest obesity rates saw the largest increases from 2012 to 2013. The obesity rate increased by more than one point among Americans who make less than $36,000 a year, 45- to 64-year-olds, and those living in the South. The obesity rate among black Americans, already the highest rate recorded among major demographic groups, rose 0.9 points to 35.8% in 2013.

Implications 👀

Obesity is linked to increased health risks and lower productivity rates among workers of all industries. A high obesity rate can hold a country back, both in national well-being and in economic productivity.

Obesity increases the risk of many serious and costly medical conditions and leads to increased healthcare costs and workplace absenteeism, which negatively affect the U.S. economy. If more Americans become obese, these costs will continue to climb.

Americans’ eating habits worsened in 2013, which may have contributed to the uptick in the obesity rate along with the fact that Gallup found Americans were exercising less in first half of 2013. Furthermore, while many Americans say they want to lose weight, few are actively trying to do so.

via U.S. Obesity Rate Ticks Up to 27.1% in 2013.