| There is a growing number of overweight Americans. | | | | estimated that by the year 2030, United States will |
| Last time it was checked, fully 65% of Americans | | | | have to spend almost a trillion dollars in health care |
| were overweight. Let me say that again. If you are an | | | | costs looking after it's overweight population. It is |
| American then you have a 65% chance of being | | | | expected and has been proved in the past that health |
| overweight. | | | | care costs for overweight Americans will double |
| This is the highest number in the world. There is no | | | | every decade. At present we are spending almost |
| other nation that is this high for a percentage of | | | | 18% of our health care costs caring for the overweight |
| overweight people. American women are overweight, | | | | and obese. |
| American men are overweight and saddest of all | | | | The number of complications of being overweight is |
| American children are overweight. More than 120 million | | | | numerous with the major maladies being hypertension, |
| people in the U. S. are over the body mass index of | | | | diabetes, stroke and heart disease. As overweight |
| 24.9 which is the dividing line for being overweight. | | | | Americans, we are effectively shortening our life span |
| Two thirds of American society is carrying around | | | | by being so overweight. We may not live as long as |
| excess weight, putting strain on their hearts, lungs, | | | | our parents did. |
| joints and feet. Someday, try putting five pounds on | | | | There are also other costs involved with being |
| your body and wear it the whole day. This will give | | | | overweight Americans. Americans who are |
| you an idea of how much of a difference a few | | | | overweight are more costly as an employee group. |
| pounds can make. Fast and convenient food in the | | | | They are less productive, have more sick days and |
| United States is the rule rather than the exception. | | | | are more prone to industrial accidents. |
| Believe me it shows. Donut houses, coffee | | | | The market for weight reduction in the States is vast. |
| establishments, hamburger joints, 7-11s abound. I use to | | | | Health clubs, pills, surgery, hypnosis and on and on. |
| go into a 7-11 and have what I affectionately called the | | | | Home fitness machine sales have went through the |
| 7-11 buffet. One of each size of the hot dog and they | | | | roof. Diet plans are everywhere. It's not like we aren't |
| were mmm mmm good. But now I am part of the | | | | trying to get thinner, it is just that we aren't being |
| large majority. 65% or so. | | | | successful at it. At the one end, there are all the health |
| It is estimated that by 2015, just seven years from | | | | related goods and service being toted on the |
| now, 3 out of 4 Americans will be overweight. 3 of 4! | | | | American airwaves and then the ads for McDonald's, |
| That's staggering. Is it any wonder that the term "public | | | | Pizza Hut and KFC bombard a hungry public. The |
| health crisis" is being bandied about? It is further | | | | epidemic of overweight Americans continues. |