A recent posting on the Internet lays out some serious consequences regarding the increase in obesity among Americans. The article states “Anyone who’s ever quit smoking (or tried to) knows that once the puffing stops, the eating begins.” As more people have quit smoking, we’ve seen a rise in obesity rates which if not curtained, could see 45% of Americans being overweight in just 10 years from now.
A New England Journal of Medicine study declared “If past obesity trends continue unchecked, the negative effects on the health of the U.S. population will increasingly outweigh the positive effects gained from declining smoking rates.”
The study examined health trends collected from national health surveys to forecast life expectancy and quality of life. Based on the continued decline in smoking, the life expectancy for an 18-year-old non-smoker should increase by nearly four months.
But over the past 15 years, body-mass index rates have shot up 48%, and if this continues unabated, the NEJM study projected that 45% of Americans will be obese by 2020, and that 18-year-old’s life expectancy will be reduced by just over a year. So when you balance less smoking against more obesity, the net loss in life expectancy is more than eight months.
The AOL article concludes by stating, “That doesn’t mean the customary trend of increased life expectancy due to improvements in nutrition, education and health care will suddenly reverse course. But the rising obesity rates may eventually slow this progress.
“The bottom line: If you succeed in giving up tobacco, pay especially close attention to your eating habits. It could add years to your life.”
Good advice. And that’s why I have been promoting physical fitness, proper nutrition and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle in my blogs over the past year. So as I sign every letter that goes out over my signature, I urge you to…
Get Up! Get Active! Get Involved! Get healthy!
~Wid
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The Grand Canyon State Games is a multi-sport Olympic Festival providing a showcase for the talents and aspirations for Arizona and America's youth regardless of age or ability and to share many of the great attributes of our state. In fact we have had a 3 year old come down the mountain in our Winter skiing event and a 99 year old gentleman throw the javelin in our Track & Field event. We truly have something for everyone.
