's Daily Message - Mon Feb. 6. 2006

February 6, 2006

's Daily Message

Monday

February 06, 2006

THE BIG PICTURE

America`s in trouble – BIG trouble! I know there are articles in your

newspaper and online about the obesity epidemic in America. Well, I read a

lot of articles, and I put together some current obesity statistics for you

that I wanted you to be aware of. In 1962, the percentage of obesity in

America was 13%. By 1980, it was 15%. By 1994, it was 24%. By 2000, it was

31%. And in 2006, it`s now close to 40%!

3.8 million Americans are obese with a BMI in excess of 30. Nearly 50

million adults between the ages of 20 and 74 are obese. Overall, more than

108 million adults or 61% of the adult population is either overweight or

obese. Four hundred thousand Americans, mostly men, fall into the 400-pound

category.

More than 50% of adult Americans do not get enough physical activity to

provide health benefits. 25% of adults are not active at all in their

leisure time. Less than 1/3 of adults engage in the recommended amount of

physical activity of 30-60 minutes a day.

A weight gain of 11-18 pounds increases a person`s risk of developing Type

II diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Besides

diabetes, overweight and obesity are associated with heart disease, certain

types of cancer, strokes, arthritis, high cholesterol, and high blood

pressure, breathing problems, and psychological disorders such as

depression.

According to the CDC, the percentage of overweight children age 6-11 has

nearly doubled since the early 1980`s, while the percentage of overweight

adolescents has almost tripled. More than 1/3 of children in grades 9-12 do

not regularly exercise, and physical activity and overweight adolescents

have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

The Surgeon General says obesity is responsible for 112,000 to 300,000

deaths each year. Aren`t these statistics staggering? Even though we know so

much about eating and exercising, America`s waistline keeps growing, and now

the big question is why. I already think you know the answers. Not eating

the right foods in the right portions, being inactive, and having little or

no self-worth. I hope this column makes you think today and take better care

of yourself.

I look forward to being with all of you Clubhouse members for our February

Auditorium tonight! Our topic will be " Finding Inner Kindness. "

Love,

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