This is America’s growing health crisis

The statistics are alarming. More than 40% of U.S. adults aged 20 and older and approximately 20% of children aged 2 to 19 are living with obesity. Even more alarming? These numbers will continue to rise in the coming years, resulting in serious ramifications.
Obesity is a chronic disease where your body mass index (BMI), a calculation based on your height and weight, is over 30.
Dr. Carmen Fotso, a family medicine physician specializing in weight management at Advocate Health Care, weighs in on why addressing the obesity epidemic in America is essential for improving national health outcomes. “The disease of obesity is not just a personal health challenge but rather a public health crisis creating a trickle-down effect that impacts every layer of society. It contributes to serious health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASH), and is linked to at least 13 types of cancer. Beyond physical health, obesity affects mental and social well-being and drives up insurance and overall health care costs.”
Fortunately, Dr. Fotso says there are many ways you can combat the obesity epidemic and take control of your health:
- Live an active lifestyle, which includes aiming for 150 to 300 minutes of exercise per week
- Eat a balanced diet that is full of healthy proteins, vegetables and fruits
- Reduce your consumption of unnecessary sugary food and beverages
- Talk with your primary care provider or see a weight management specialist to make a weight loss plan that is right for you
Are you trying to lose weight? Take a free online quiz to learn your healthy weight range.
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About the Author
health enews contributor, is a cardiology surgical scheduler at Advocate Health Care. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Carthage College. In her free time, Cassidy enjoys trying new recipes, watching football, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with her two cats.
So I have a few things with this as I have been a plus size women all my life. I was born on a dairy farm and at a young age been working very hard, and even today, not only do I walk 6,000 to 20,000 steps a day, and yet still plus size. The way the BMI scale is set up is unrealistic for many of the people in the world with their frame structure. Mine included and feel this should be changed and looked into more to make it realistic. The other thing is we have many people and/or families needing to work two job per adult (like i have 3 jobs). By having this many jobs it dose not leave time for home cook meals like they were able to in the olden years, so what do we do to eat. We go though fast food places to eat something fast to get the next job or thing for the family. If we could make more wedges so people can afford healthy food too. Not work so many jobs will make it so we can cook the food. I bet you will see a decrease in obesity in America if these things change.
As a weight loss specialist, I understand your frustrations, Heather. I can’t change your work and financial issue. However, when we eat healthy, whole foods and limit the processed foods, especially carbs, I see fantastic results in weight and metabolic health. Talk to your provider for a referral to one of the many weight specialists at AAH so we can start to help you towards better health!
Compton Kurtz MD