Obesity rates in the U.S. have been predicted to be exponentially higher by 2030
A new report revealed on Tuesday predicted a scary trend regarding obesity rates in the U.S. The report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation estimates that half of U.S. adults will be obese by the year 2030. That is, if Americans stick to their current eating habits.
All 50 states could potentially be looking at obesity rates above 44 percent. Mississippi, the current fattest state in America, is dangerously close to that number with an obesity rate of 35 percent.
With the obesity rates increasing, we can be sure to see a direct increase in type 2 diabetes as well as endometrial cancer. The report predicted as many as 7.9 million new cases of diabetes a year compared to the 1.9 million cases in recent years.
Of course these obesity rates will directly affect medical costs as well. It has been estimated that by 2030 the medical costs due to obesity-related disease could increase from $48 billion to $66 billion per year in the U.S.
According to executive director of TFAH (Trust for America’s Health), “We know a lot more about how to prevent obesity than we did 10 years ago. This report outlines how policies like increasing physical activity time in schools and making fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable can help make healthier choices easier.”
Despite this knowledge, obesity rates among U.S. adults have more than doubled from the 15 percent of 1990. In children, rates have tripled.
Ironically, today is National Cheeseburger day.
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