Obesity Rates in the US Are Up

Bill Dietz's good staff at the CDC report today that obesity trends in the US are still moving up: rates top 30% obesity in 9 US states and, nationally, 26.7% of Americans are obese. Not just overweight, obese. This marks a 1.1% increase from 2008 data: this blazing gain is a relatively new problem for us. Just 11 years ago no US state tracked obesity levels above the 20-24% category; now that benchmark seems relatively low. You can learn more from this fantastic report published by the Trust for America's Health: F as in Fat.

The good news is that finally federally sponsored agencies and programs recognize that this issue isn't just a matter of putting individuals on a "diet." Rather, it's about designing healthy communities at every level- from food access to transportation systems so that people can make healthy choice every day without jumping through hoops of fire; complete streets with as much infrastructure and laws for safe bicycle and pedestrian use as there is for cars; and valuing green and open space and sustainable agriculture policies to support small, organic farms. 

These policies, laws, and funding commitments can help to change the way we live, not simply as a population of people able to maintain a healthy weight but also as a planet able to survive and thrive with sustainable practices for clean air with a reduction in carbon miles spent, thanks to reduced single occupancy vehicles (sov) traveled and a reduction in "big Agra" food industry production. Remember, people, we shouldn't produce what we shouldn't consume, and vice/versa. Savor your (small portioned) vegetarian, locally grown food resources in your region and you will see the difference in your BMI and the land's health, equally. It's a win-win.