A recent study came out that said that Blacks, while suffering disproportionately from obesity related disease, also seem to carry less “bad fat” in their abdominal region than whites. There seems to be real differences between races in how body fat is stored and the types of body fat stored. This is important because if researchers are able to adjust their studies, then they will better reflect the obesity problem for each race. Currently, statistics could obfuscate real problems. This is an important study that should be embraced, despite its potential political problems for the safety of people and clarity of the research statistics.
Obesity News
blacks, body fat, disease, obesity, race, study
Looking for some staggering statistics on obesity? Well a recent report from Santa Clara county in California shows that obesity costs the country about $2.1 billion (yes billion) per year. The statewide cost is around $41 billion. To be fair the study does not only include direct costs, but indirect costs as well, like that of inactivity. So an inactive obese persons limited economic output can have a real impact on the productivity of a region. Chenoweth and Associates performs the study for California and in their report noted that they expect the state cost to rise by about 25 percent by 2011.
Obesity News, Obesity in America
california, chenoweth and associates, cost, inactivity, santa clara
The great state of Minnesota is the state with the lowest child obesity rate in the United States. This news comes on the heels of devastating obesity rates coming from national studies in the US. State officials and doctors are urging people not to become complacent as significant work still needs to be done to combat obesity in that state. A key indicator in childhood obesity is the number of meals a family is having away from home. The greater the number, the higher the likelihood of children becoming obese.
Obesity News, Obesity in America
Child Obesity Rate, lowest, meals, minnesota, obese
A new report on obesity in the United States shows that obesity rates are getting worse. Obesity rates went up in 23 states and went down in no states. 34.3% of Americans are obese and 32.7% are overweight. That compares with 15% in 1980. The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation compiled this report. The goal of the Department of Health and Human Services was to reduce obesity rates in all 50 states to 15% before 2010. Ooops.
Obesity News, Obesity in America
obesity rates, states, united states
With the swine flu making big news this year, outside of the flu season, a growing recognition of how obesity affects those with the flu is coming up. There is a growing correlation between the most severe cases of the flu and those who are obese. This is another unfortunate reminder of the growing complications of obesity on adults and children alike.
Obesity News
obesity, swine flu
Much has been made about childhood obesity and diet. But is there a stronger link to stress? Recent studies are suggesting that correlation to stress levels, as opposed to diet, tend toward obesity. Certainly, you have to believe that once a teen starts to become overweight, social anxiety multiplies dramatically. Being overweight as generally the equivalent of social suicide, or a least pluralization.
Obesity News
diet, social anxiety, stress, teen obesity
A long term study of girls in East Harlem, New York is showing that some of the chemicals used in plastics could be linked to obesity. Childhood obesity rates continue to rise in the US. The chemical in question is phthalates. This phthalates can be endocrine disruptors affecting the metobolism rates in children. The heaviest girls in this study had the heaviest levels of phthalates. Nail polish and cosmetics are major phthalate products.
General, Obesity News, Obesity in America
chemicals, childhood obesity, cosmetics, phthalates, plastics
In Australia, an outspoken solider discussed what he perceived as an obesity problem in the military. For his outspoken actions, he is facing disciplinary action. Some believe that over 10 percent of the enlisted army members would technically be classified as obese.
Obesity News
australia, military, obese, obesity
A new study out had linked obesity to ovarian cancer. The study claims double the risk for older obese women compared to average weight citizens. The obesity rates in America are certainly a concern when it comes to these consequences of being overweight. Not to mention the extreme cost of health care for a society so overweight.
Obesity News
obesity rates, ovarian cancer, overweight, women
New York state governor David Patterson wants to place an obesity tax on non-diet soft drinks and fruit drinks (only those less than 70% real fruit juice). The problem really is one of money for New York state and not obesity, which in lies the issue. Patterson is simply looking to make up the state’s budget short fall. As always, this type of tax will hurt the poor the most. Some will argue that the monetary pain will be enough to convince many state residents, mainly the poor ones, not to purchase these ‘empty calories.’ However, it provides no guarantee that these calories will not be replaced with other cheap empty calorie options. Let’s tackle obesity rates, but let’s do it in the right way.
Obesity News
david patterson, new york, obesity rates, obesity tax, taxes
