Every year more and more Americans' waistlines are expanding. And if you think we’re fat now, just wait 20 years.
A report by the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation predicts, at the current rate, nearly one out of every two Americans will be obese by the year 2030.
In California, the foundation says the obesity rate is expected to jump from nearly 24 percent to more than 46 percent, nearly doubling. The report also estimates that if Californians could reverse the trend of getting fatter they could potentially save the state almost $82 billion in health care costs in the next 20 years.
At Kaiser Hospital San Jose, the chief of the department of physical medicine, Dr. Wayne Smith says the big payoff in shedding pounds is that it can save lives.
“Obesity is related to a number of cancers including ovarian and gastrointestinal cancer and it is also linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke” Smith said.
Another report indicates the chemical BPA or Bisphenol A , used in the lining of canned goods may be making kids fat. Researchers at the New York University School of Medicine found kids with the highest concentrations of BPA in their systems were twice as likely to be obese.
“We were struck by the fact the association was so strong” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, who is the lead author of the study.
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A statement from the American Chemistry Council points to other research that suggests because of the way BPA is processed in the body it is very unlikely BPA could cause health effects at any realistic exposure level.
Smith said what people really need to focus on is what they can do to help their kids grow up healthy. They can start by making sure their children eat balanced meals and get enough exercise.
He said parents can also set a good example for their kids.
“The next time you get a craving , drink a glass of water and take a walk around the block”, said Smith.
Consider it calorie free, food for thought.
