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Obesity Rapidly Increasing Among Baby Boomers
The obesity statistics for 2008 have been released and Mississippi is still the largest. Although Alabama is in a close second place. Doctors have noticed that the largest increase in obesity is in baby boomers.
The national obesity ranking has shown that 23 states have gotten fatter over the past year, while no states experienced a significant decline. In 31 states, more than one in four adults are obese. These statistics prove that this is not an individual problem but a national one.
Many doctors and politicians have called for a national action plan. With more people growing obese each year, there are rising medical costs. In every state the obesity rate is higher for 55 to 65-year-olds than for 65 year-olds and beyond. So as more and more baby boomers become obese, they will require more and more money to cover their medical costs.
Originally health economists believed that obese Americans would die sooner and savethe system money; but they have determined obese Americans live just as long but they’re sicker and require costly treatments and surgeries. Medicare spends approximately $1,400 to $6,000 more on an obese senior annually than on a non-obese senior.
The solution to the obesity problem is changing habits. People need to start making healthier choices and participating in community programs. People that that are active not only tend to be leaner but healthier. While there are no cuts in state obesity rates, states are showing better habits. Last year 37 states saw their obesity rates rising while this year only 23 states rose.
Obesity rates are slightly slowing down, because more people are making healthier choices. Some simple tips for increasing your daily exercise may include parking further away from the store in parking lots, or mowing your lawn with a push mower instead of a riding lawn mower. Walking through the mall and anywhere else can also help you accomplish your 1,000 daily steps. Another great idea is going for a walk on your lunch break.
These tips may not make a very big difference in your life, but every little bit helps. It may help you make better choices about what you eat, and hopefully motivate you to exercise even more.
