Your Not Alone.....

America is one of the richest, most progressive countries in the world. Shouldn't it be one of the healthiest too? Maybe it should, but the sad truth is that Americans are some of the unhealthiest people in the world.

Obesity may soon overtake tobacco as the number one factor in people's deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts obesity will soon be the number one killer. In 2000, tobacco was linked to 435,000 deaths, or 18 percent, and obesity was close behind at 400,000, or 17 percent.

Despite the millions spent on obesity research and billions spent on quick weight loss diets, Americans are heavier than ever. In fact, 61 percent of American adults are now overweight, up from 45 percent some 20 years ago. What's more children are following in their parents' heavier footsteps. One out of eight school-aged kids is obese, twice the fraction of two decades ago. And, experts estimate that one in four is overweight. Overweight in this case is defined as having a body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) between 25 and 29.9 and obese is defined as having a BMI more than 30.

Losing weight and keeping it off is difficult even if you reduce calories. Of the 3,000 people in the National Weight Control Registry - who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year, only 9 percent lost weight without exercising.

With obesity, comes the increased risk of diseases such as:

•  High Blood Pressure

•  Type II Diabetes

•  Heart Disease

•  Breast Cancer

•  Colon Cancer

•  Prostate Cancer

In addition, obesity has been linked to mental health conditions such as depression or feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Health experts say that even losing 10 to 15 percent of your body weight can dramatically decrease the risk of developing these serious conditions. In addition, many obese people are discriminated against and targets of insults and other verbal abuse.

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