English Project Obesity | Page 2

The Skinny on Obesity; a Growing Problem in America

A News Article By Max Nardi

Currently the people and population of America have become more obese than any other country in the world. The rates of obesity are skyrocketing in America. Obesity has increased

our health care costs by billions and has become one of America’s top concerns. As America becomes fatter the costs of obesity and related preventable diseases is a major problem.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed in America in recent years and are heading even higher. A 2012 study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that by 2030 42% of adults in America would be obese. Another study confirmed this analysis of American obesity stating that by 2030,

by 2030, every state in America will have an obesity rate of more than 44% and more than ten states will have an obesity rate above 60%.

The rising obesity rates have a huge financial impact on our country. The yearly medical cost of adult obesity today is between $147 billion and $210 billion and it is forecast that an additional $48 billion to $66 billion will be spent per year by 2030 to treat preventable diseases associated with obesity. Yet another review forecast that over $550 billion in health care expenses will be caused by obesity from now to 2030. As Americans get fatter they also get sicker with diseases that include diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancers. Until we can reverse the trend of obesity the costs of this disease will continue to rise.