It’s no secret that obesity is an issue that’s weighing on our country. Two-thirds of the adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese and the numbers don’t seem to be slimming. According to a report released by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health, if obesity rates stay consistent every state could have obesity rates of over 44 percent by 2030.
Mississippi currently has the highest obesity rate at 34.9 percent. With the trajectory this number is estimated to skyrocket to 66.7 percent by 2030 keeping the state it in the number one spot. Even Colorado, who has the lowest obesity rate in the country, is expected to double from 20.7 percent to 44.8 percent. As for North Carolina, our rates are expected to almost double as well giving our state a 58 percent obesity rate by 2030.
Being overweight or obese can cause other health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea and can increase the risk of strokes, many types of cancers, and other chronic illnesses. Current medical costs for treating obesity-related diseases like these in the United States are estimated between $147 billion and $210 billion every year. The estimated medical costs are projected to increase by $66 billion annually if the obesity rates continue.
To keep these predictions from coming true in the future it is important to take action to prevent them today. Some tips to help prevent obesity include making more time for physical activity, improve the quality of food that we serve in our schools, offer reasonably priced weight-loss programs in communities, and making smarter, healthier food choices for ourselves and our families. To learn more about
obesity prevention and
weight-loss options visit our website. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in partnership with Pinehurst Surgical offers weight-loss treatment and support for patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about weight-loss surgery you can attend a
free weight-loss surgery seminar. You can learn about the benefits of weight-loss surgery, hear success stories, and even speak with a physician. The seminars are hosted the first Thursday and third Monday of every month. For more information call (800) 213-3284.
