Cheez Whiz! 30 Million Americans may be Overweight in 18 Years?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jennifer Lilley

A recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine is making some people stop fast in their tracks . . . hopefully their Moose Tracks® flavored ice cream. The study concludes that 42% of the nation will be obese by 2030, some 18 years from now.

Eighteen years? That’s so . . . 6,575 days and 157,785 hours away.  No doubt, such a  “too far in future to even start thinking about it” notion will have many folks ignoring this information, laughing it off as they happily dive their neon-stained “fingerchips” into their cheesy poofs.

Again.

Hopefully though, people will view this news not as some “Future Fetched” nonsense, but instead as something that will encourage them to change their exercise and eating habits. Larger waistlines also mean larger hospital bills: just a mere extra 10 pounds of weight can contribute to diabetes, heart attacks and cancers.

This doesn’t mean one has to go from sweating up the stairs to Sweatin’ with the Oldies overnight; even just 30 minutes of light activity daily (a stroll around the neighborhood or local walking trail, for example) yields a bevy of health-boosting benefits. Not only does exercise help control weight, it can lower cholesterol and improve mood.

It’s not just about slipping on sneakers and strutting your stuff either. What people eat also greatly affects waistlines—and overall health. Before the “it all tastes like cardboard” eye roll ensues, rest assured that healthy meals need not be synonymous with bland. They’re often just as delicious as they are slimming powerhouses. For example, blueberries are sweet and super tasty, full of antioxidants and they’re fiber-rich which helps create a full feeling (thereby reducing the inclination to devour an entire pizza afterwards).

Yes, 18 years is indeed a long ways away. For crying out loud, it’s tough enough to prepare for next week’s client meeting or even events for this Mother’s Day let alone think about some 6,575 days from now. Yet, with these newly released statistics, the need to plan—now—is loud and clear.

Hopefully, Americans take this obesity statistic as seriously as they take news of their favorite celebrity or tanned mom-of-the-moment. Let’s open our minds and close the refrigerator door more often.

Bet we can help shrink these statistics in no time flat.

-JL-

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