We are what we eat
We are what we eat is a familiar saying here in the South. From our shrimp and grits to waffles and chicken, what we eat does have a significant impact on who we are! Over the decades we have seen the concern for overeating reach crescendo levels. With increased waistlines we see potential complications affecting every system in our bodies. Joint problems, digestive issues to include liver disease, respiratory and cardiovascular such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes to elevated risk of cancers such as breast, colon, and endometrial. Lack of exercise, obesity, and unhealthiness are a concern in our country and our community requiring us to take a hard look at what we offer ourselves and our citizens. Health and wellness can be elusive entities requiring a lot of work, determination, and accessibility to fitness activities. We as a community have a bit of work to do to attain better, more optimal health but having access to a recreational center would be a step in the right direction.
What is the state of our nation & Tennessee? What is considered overweight or obese? There are many online tools to help you determine these numbers, but body mass index of 18.5-24.9 is normal weight for ages 20 and older, 25-29.9 are considered overweight, and over 30 BMI is obesity. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found some disturbing statistics related to the state of obesity in the United States. Two out of three adults were overweight or obese, one in thirteen were extremely obese, with children and adolescents demonstrating one out of six considered obese. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), all demographics of the population need to strive to meet our weight and physical activity requirements. Twenty-one percent of adults meet the physical activity guidelines, with only 30% of high schoolers getting minimally an hour of physical activity each day (CDC, 2014). If you narrow the scope to only Tennessee, the numbers look less optimistic. Tennesseans, eighteen and older, 33% are considered obese, with the state having the unenviable title of the ninth highest adult obesity rate in the country. Amongst adolescents, 35% are classified either obese or overweight, with the sad forecasting of today’s children having a shorter life expectancy than their parents. If you want a good read Google the Center for Disease Control and Prevention nutrition, physical activity, and obesity: Data, trends, and maps (I’ve provided the link below), then click on Tennessee where it gives you the data for the various age classifications for the state.
The consequences of being overweight or obese are numerous both financially and physically. Rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, breathing issues, body pain, and cancer are all impacted by our weight and physical fitness levels. Obesity is one of the major PREVENTABLE causes of chronic diseases. Our mental status is also greatly impacted by our weight and fitness levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “obesity is a serious concern because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, reduced quality of life (CDC, 2015, para 2).
From a financial perspective, the numbers are staggering. According to the CDC, $147 billion, with some sources saying this number can be high as $210 billion per year, spent on medical care costs related to obesity in the U.S. Some hidden costs are those associated with absenteeism and decreased productivity, $4.3 billion lost due to absenteeism and obesity. Factor in the costs of increased office visits, ER visits, medications, and diagnostic or treatment expenditures and the financial burden to the states goes even higher.
With the personal and financial costs being so high, what can we do to reduce these numbers and see a better, higher quality of life? Have a healthy diet, watch what you eat, and so importantly, exercise. Swim, run, walk, Pilates, Cross-fit, weight-lifting, aerobics, soccer, football, the key is to work toward your optimal weight and level of fitness. Exercise benefits run the gamete from stress relievers, decreased depression, empowerment, higher levels of self-esteem, positive mental outlook, personal growth, to reducing the numerous risks of physical illness. Through exercise we, also, build community, strengthen social interaction, cohesiveness, and teambuilding, all the while making the community of Franklin County more attractive to outsiders wanting to relocate. From seniors in high school to seniors in life, the benefits of exercise are blatantly apparent. Can we afford to forgo a recreational center with so much on the line? We as consumers must educate ourselves and see the benefits outweigh the risk. A healthy community is a happy community!
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Facts about physical activity. Retrieved from, https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/data/facts.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Adult Obesity Causes & Consequences. Retrieved, from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity: data, trends, and maps. Retrieved from, https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/data-trends-maps/index.html
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. (2017). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
State of Obesity. (2015). The state of obesity in Tennessee. Retrieved from, http://stateofobesity.org/states/tn/