The problem of obesity in America seems to grow larger everyday and almost everyone in the country is affected by the problem. There are of course many things which contribute to this problem. Where you live, your ethnic background, your age and you economic standing for example all feature in the equation.
Some of the most reliable statistics showing obesity trends come from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which puts statistics together on a state-by-state basis. Looking over the latest statistics for the United States we see that the south and central area is hardest hit by obesity. States like Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee have obesity running at rates of between 30% and 35%. Neighboring states like Florida, Georgia, Kansas and Texas come in next in line with obesity running at between 25% and 29% while Colorado fairs best at under 20%. The majority of the northwestern states come in at between 20% and 24%.
Ethnic origins play a role in regional obesity rates. African Americans are 50% more likely to be overweight than white members of the same community, while Hispanics are 20% more likely to be overweight than their white counterparts. As a region all races living in the south are more likely to carry excess body fat than those living in the northeast and southwest.
Public health policies are just now beginning to address the role of schools and public assistance programs in helping to reduce the statistics in these areas. Diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and respiratory diseases are on the up trend in children who are obese. A lack of exercise and education are the main cause of this trend. As the problem continues to grow an already overwhelmed public health care system must find ways to combat the ever rising tide of childhood obesity.
Even though obesity is a public health problem, putting stricter guidelines on what people can and cannot eat raises a myriad of personal freedom issues. While public schools and guidelines for feeding children are becoming more sensible, educating families on the dangers of processed foods is the only thing that can truly make a difference. Food is a choice and children must be taught to make good choices on their own.
Obesity in the United States is on the rise and we have to watch its progress very carefully. And, if the problem is to be prevented from running out of control, the government is going to have to step in at some point and take control of this problem. Just how much the government can or should interfere is however a difficult question to answer.
Read through our expanding collection of obesity articles addressing a number of problems with obesity including such subjects as obesity in America and the link between obesity and junk food.