2011 Health Trends
- Occurring in Teens and Young Adults
- Obesity Trends Show No Signs of Stopping
A recent government sponsored study revealed 51% increase in strokes in men between the ages of 15 and 34. Women faired a little better showing a stroke incidence increase of 17% in the same age groups. The conclusion of the panel looking at this alarming trend was that the obesity related chronic disease was striking in younger populations. Older adults were still having strokes, but not at the same rate. The data looked at the years 1995 through 2007.
California hospital at UCLA reports more high blood pressure and clogged arteries in young adults. This translates into more stroke, heart disease, and increased hospitalizations. Young people are still smoking, increasing their intake of alcohol, becoming obese, and acquiring adult onset diabetes and other adult chronic disease.
Obesity accounts for 160,000 deaths per year, costing society $7000 per year per person. Soon obesity-related deaths will surpass deaths related to smoking. If a person is 70 pounds overweight, they will spend $30,000 over the course of their lifetime in obesity medical related costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control one-third of the American population is obese. Another one-third is overweight. Of children under 12, one-third is overweight or obese.
Statistics point to the year 1988 as the start of when obesity rates in the USA took off. 1988 was the year the Surgeon General with the USDA promoted and adopted the no fat eating strategy as the only way to prevent heart disease. Heart disease survival rates have improved today due to the rapid response and treatment protocols by emergency workers and emergency rooms. However, heart disease is still increasing. Many scientific writers have connected the dot between the no-fat diet dogmas to the increase in obesity, but we remain in a state of collective denial.
Combined with our collective denial is our collective need for self-gratification. These two qualities make us vulnerable to mass marketing and misinformation. We take as fact any quick fix or snake oil tactics as either absolution from self-responsibility or magical thinking. Verification of these quick fixes or magic bullets are left to the 'they said' people.
While research continues for solutions to the obesity crisis, it is clear that we have a multifaceted problem. Obesity has many causes and many solutions. In depth solution oriented strategies must involve personalized approaches.
All Blessings and Love,
Nadine Campbell RN
February 15, 2011
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