7 Facts Weighing Down America

FAT FACT 1

It is old news that the United States has an obesity problem—but with 2/3rds of the nation rounding out as either overweight or obese, it is an issue that needs to be addressed. With billions spent every year on junk food, billions are also being spent on reversing the effects of the junk food, making America’s obesity cycle one huge (no pun intended) problem.

FAT FACT 2

Two thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, but over 1/3 are obese – according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This Fat Map shows where most of that 2/3 resides.

5 FATTEST STATES

Alabama (70.0%)
Mississippi (68.8%)
West Virginia (67.9%)
Tennessee (67.8%)
Kentucky (67.5%)

“Americans need to understand that overweight&obesity are literally killing us”
—Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, Department of Health and Human Services

FAT FACT 3

As America’s waistlines expand, American industries adapt. From larger dress sizes and movie theater seats to plus size toilet seats and coffins, every day items are now available in a super-size.

THE EFFECT OF FAT THROUGH THE YEARS

A size 4 dress size today would be considered a size 8 twenty years ago. No, you haven’t lost weight. Theater seats have increased 6” over the last twenty years. Extra butter anyone? The average hamburger has more than doubled in size in twenty years. Now that’s a super-size.

FAT FACT 4

Over 50% of Americans see themselves as being overweight. In case you are not sure if you are overweight or not, this BMI chart will help you figure it out—just use your height and weight to see where you fall.

FAT FACT 5

Before we judge smokers too harshly for how much they spend on a pack of cigarettes every day, let’s look a little closer at the junk food industry. Americans spent $3.9 billion on cookies in 2010, $6.2 billion on potato chips and a mean $37 billion on cola products—making waistlines bigger, and wallets smaller.

FAT FACT 6

We could just change our lifestyle, but most Americans don’t seem to consider that a solution. America is all about the quick fix, spending billions of dollars a year on procedures that attempt to reverse the effects of obesity.

FAT FACT 7

One thing is certain—with obesity on the rise, the only thing that is here to stay is fat, fat and more fat. With expensive reversal procedures that few can afford, obesity is quickly becoming society’s number one killer. If things don’t change, only two things are certain in this life—death by fat, and taxes.

We have to get it together!