Sunday, March 14, 2010

Obesity is a Growing Problem!

Obesity is a growing problem (pun intended) which we need to be addressing. Obesity is defined as "30 pounds of more above recommended weight". Nearly 43% of American adults are at risk for obesity within the next ten years! It leads to serious health problems such as cardiovascular diseas and Type 2 diabetes and is expected to cost the U.S. about $344 billion in medical-related expenses by 2018. Obesity is best treated by a "plant based diet and the seamless integration of increased physical activity and social support to alter modern diets and lifestyles" says David Heber, MD, PHD, FACPm FACN, professor and founding director at theUCLA Center for Human Nutrition. He specifically blames our tendency to consume "highly palatable foods iwth hidden fats and sugars rather than fruits and vegetables with anti-inflammatory phytochemicals." (info from Taste for Life magazine January 2010)

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