Obesity a serious threat

Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States, and with the spread of Western culture it is fast becoming a global problem. It is estimated that over 300 million people are overweight, worldwide; and that number is rising. When I go around in my neighborhood I find many people irrespective of age – from a 7-year-old kid to a 70 year old are obese.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States makes obesity a leading public health problem. The United States has the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. From 1980 to 2002, obesity has doubled in adults and overweight prevalence has tripled in children and adolescents. From 2003-2004, "children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, 17.1% were overweight...and 32.2% of adults aged 20 years or older were obese." The prevalence in the United States continues to rise.

I started thinking how it would be if the same rate of oversization of US continues. It is shocking. Nearly one fourth of the adults in the United States are obese.Awareness of these health issues can help in understanding why it is important to maintain a healthy weight. After all, if you know what being overweight can do to your health, then you have more reasons to maintain an ideal weight.