Obesity And The Dietary Guidlines For Americans
Obesity And The Dietary Guidelines For Americans
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released in January of this year. The United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services offered up a number of brand new dietary and nutritional suggestions and recommendations, together with the objective of fighting the increasing weight and obesity crisis as well as equipping Americans with the data and facts they need to live healthier and stronger lifestyles on a day to day basis.
Although I have not read the Guidelines in it's entirety, there are a few items that I would like to share with you as I believe they are so very important in educating and combating the obesity epidemic as well as decreasing chronic diseases which are related to our diet choices.
In the introduction of the Guidelines, it was stated that the ultimate objective of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is to improve and enhance our Nations health and the health of future generations through assisting and promoting healthy and balanced eating habits, along with physical activity and exercise. They have published these guidelines and options so that hopefully, most of our detrimental behaviors will change and their suggestions and recommendations will become a foundation for not only reducing our obesity problem but, prevention of chronic diseases. It is their hope that the guidelines will become the standard for every man, woman and child.
Inadequate diet as well as lack of exercise and physical inactivity happen to be the most crucial issues contributing to the crisis and epidemic associated with being overweight and obese in this nation. The most current and latest facts reveal that 72% of adult men plus 64% of adult women are generally overweight or obese. About 1/3 of adults are sadly obese. Also, even for those who do not have a weight problem, bad eating habits along with the absence of physical activity have been linked to Type 2 Diabetes, Osteoporosis and some types of Cancer.
A number of racial as well as some ethnic groups are generally disproportionately affected by the high rates of unhealthy weight, obesity and connected chronic diseases. Poor eating habits and inadequate individual health and fitness programs have placed the focus on improved nutrition, diet, and physical activity options ever more critical. These type of associations also provide vital opportunity to decrease health and wellness disparities through diet and nutrition, as well as physical activity modifications which have been the major causes of morbidity and the death rate.
The Heavy Toll Of Diet – Related Chronic Disease
Below is an excerpt of the very powerful speech delivered by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. If your are really concerned about your health and welfare and the health and welfare of your children along with the generations to come, …..please read.
- Image via Wikipedia
Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs – Remarks at the Nutrition Summit
Remarks as Delivered for Margaret A. Hamburg M.D. Commissioner of Food and Drugsat the 2010 Nutrition Summit
April 28, 2010
"Good morning, and thank you for being here. It’s a pleasure to speak to you today at this important meeting—and I’m so glad that all of you are concerned about and working on nutrition-related issues.
Others have described for you the toll that diet-related chronic disease takes on American lives. We know that some 65 percent of all Americans are obese or overweight and 17 percent of those under 20 are obese. We know that the dangers of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are indisputable for millions in this country. And we know, most importantly, that much of this is preventable.
So as I bring this opening session to a close, I will try to be brief—but I want to clear about the magnitude of the problem we face. Diet-related chronic disease, including obesity, is a defining public health issue of our time." Read Entire Speech
So let's just take a look at the 5 most detrimental chronic diseases caused by poor diet which American adult and children face today. .
Cardiovascular Disease
• 81.1 million Americans—37 percent of the 13 population—have cardiovascular disease. Major risk factors include high levels of blood cholesterol and other lipids, type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), metabolic syndrome, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and tobacco use.
• 16 percent of the U.S. adult population has high 14 total blood cholesterol.
Hypertension
• 74.5 million Americans—34 percent of U.S. 15 adults—have hypertension.
• Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
• Dietary factors that increase blood pressure include excessive sodium and insufficient potassium intake, overweight and obesity, and excess alcohol consumption.
• 36 percent of American adults have prehypertension—blood pressure numbers that are higher than normal, but not yet in the hypertension range.
Next week, three more chronic diseases caused primarily by poor eating habits and inactivity.
Related articles
- New Federal Dietary Guidelines will Increase Obesity and Chronic Disease (liberationwellnessblog.com)
- Supplement use increases, but a healthy diet is the key (mayoclinic.com)
- Calorie Balance – Make it Happen (foodfromthegarden.wordpress.com)
- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm
Tagged with: Baby Boomer Life Style • Boomer Weight Loss • Gluttony • Obesity • Physical exercise • United States Department of Agriculture • United States Department of Health and Human Services • Weight Loss
Filed under: Obesity • Weight Loss
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I have been searching all over the internet for something to give me the correct advice. This is not exactly what I was looking for but it helped a lot. Thanks