75 percent of Americans overweight by 2015?

Posted on Jul 22nd 2007 2:01PM by Rigel Celeste

If you're the type who gets motivated to change by hearing scary statistics, then here's a doozy: experts predict that if Americans continue gaining weight at the current rate, by the year 2015 (that's only 8 years from now!) 75 percent of us will be overweight or obese.

That's not only a majority, but a major majority. Every group in society (kids, adolescents, adults) is steadily gaining weight, and considering that 66 percent of adults were overweight or obese in 2004, I guess it's not really a big stretch that we'll hit 75 percent by 2015. How depressing!

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Tags: fat, obese, obesity, overweight

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

looksbooks54 7-22-2007 @ 2:33PM

Carbs, sugars and food allergens are what make you fat. Read "Life without Bread" by Wolfgang Lutz or "The Body Knows Diet" -
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http://www.kimkins.com/329.html

TORI 7-22-2007 @ 10:14PM

This was shocking to me. I really didn't know that it was that bad. I want to make a change to this.

baconwall 7-23-2007 @ 2:34AM

It is because we are a lazy nation that eats fast food all the time. We eat so much but drive everywhere, use elevators. Most people won't even walk a block or two, they must drive.

Raina 7-26-2007 @ 10:01AM

I agree with you guys that many people are lazy, don't exercise, and don't eat right. But it's also expensive to eat healthy, and if they were raised eating crap, it's more than likely they'll continue eating it as adults.

I put a long post about this on my blog:
http://steppin-up.blogspot.com/

Linda 7-28-2007 @ 2:24PM

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Carol 7-28-2007 @ 2:21PM

It's because of cell phones and wireless - read Cross Currents and The Body Electric.

This is why years ago teenagers could pig out on pizza and hoagies and still remain skinny, but nowadays, nobody can cheat.

Crabby McSlacker 7-28-2007 @ 2:19PM

It really is a serious problem, which everyone keeps talking about but no one seems to be doing much about.

Plus now there's the news that Obesity is Contagious, though washing your hands probably isn't going to help much:
http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/2007/07/obesity-is-socially-contagious.html

Carol 7-28-2007 @ 2:21PM

Cell phones and wireless cause obesity - the signals, not the fact that we're sitting while talking or emailing.

Wayne 7-28-2007 @ 2:22PM

THe problem alot of people dont know how to say "no". Take my sister in law for example. Her stomach keeps saying yes. She lives large and is large from having 3rds and if you ever get in her way by the buffet watch out. She'll coming running and yelling GET OUTTA MY WAY>>>>>

Kasy 7-28-2007 @ 2:35PM

Is it really more expensive to eat healthy? Or is the long term effects of not eating healthy going to cost more?

Robert Schweter 7-28-2007 @ 2:37PM

The recent news article on obese people being affected by hanging with obese friends and relatives reminds me of a scripture in the bible, slightly twisted to fit the needs of this newsworthy topic. It's 1 Cor. 15:33 and I hereby amend it to read as follows:
"Fat associations spoil skinny habits."
truly yours,
friendless but relatively thin in upstate New York

Kathleen Nelson 7-28-2007 @ 2:48PM

As a School Nurse that teaches Health in Ca., I am very concerned about ever growing waistlines! Start with not buying the junkfood to begin with.

Fatman 7-28-2007 @ 2:50PM

We fat people are the majority. We will win! You thin people will LOSE and become non-existent and shunned as the skinny losers you are! Force feed thin children and adults lasagna!
Skinny people are NO GOOD! Drive them from your neighborhood!

vkattz 7-28-2007 @ 2:56PM

It is NOT because we are a "lazy nation" as baconwall claims.

We ARE a nation of hardworking people. Most of whom work 40+ hours a week and on top of that raise families.

In today's world BOTH parents are usually forced to work full time just to pay the bills and have a safe place to raise children.

THAT is why most people here do not have TIME to cook up a healthy meal at home from scratch for a family of 4 or spend an hour at the gym each day.

TiredOfTrying 7-28-2007 @ 3:11PM

So it's only laziness, or wireless waves, or or or. I have seen recent research discussing gene markers and how they significantly impact size regardless of the intake. Some day science, and probably many years later society, will realize that overweight is not nearly so simple as they have thought. Not all people who are overweight pig out on Big Macs. Not all people who are overweight are couch potatoes. I have personally lost 50 pounds or more a number of times. When I return to regular eating, which consists of reasonable, intelligent choices and normal portions (and very little "fast" food, and nearly no desserts), the pounds come back. Yet at what seems to be my "normal" weight, I maintain that consistently, and don't continue ballooning up.

Yes, it costs more to eat healthily. Good veggies and fruits and lean meats cost more.

shadow 7-28-2007 @ 3:26PM

It really is less expensive to eat a healthy, low fat diet. While in the grocery store, stick to the produce section and the bulk food section. Purchse only beans and unrefined grains in the bulk food section. Do not go down the other isles where you will be tempted to purchase processed foods which are much more expensive as well as much less nutritious. Doing this will shrink the costs of your grocery bill as well as your waistline. You will feel healthy! Whole grains and fresh vegetables are the way to go. And for the person who said that American's do not have time to eat this way: You don't have to put together an elaborate dinner every night. Cooking with fresh vegetables and grains is simple. Simple diet, simple preparation is the way to be fit and healthy.

sunnydiva03 7-28-2007 @ 3:28PM

Eating a lot of animal products like meat and dairy also make you fat. People need to learn that they DON'T need to eat them at every meal. You don't have to become a hardcore vegetarian or vegan, but at least keep track of all the crp you put in your mouth. Moderation (and exercise) is key.

Chris 7-28-2007 @ 3:39PM

Anyone who thinks carbs are the problem, you are an idiot. Its lack of excersize and fast food. I eat nothing but carbs, fruit, and lean meat, and I am at 6% body fat, 5'10" and 160 pounds. I excersize everyday. Carbs are the easiest food for your body to make energy from, so if you are eating carbs at getting fat, its not from the carbs, or just just eating too much in general. My breakfast consists of 4 servings of cereal and 2 servings of milk at 2:40am. By 6am I'll have had 2 pieces of fruit. At about 8am, I'll have had either whole grain rice or pasta for lunch, about 4 servings. Between 8am and 6 pm I'll have more fruit and various healthy complex carbs. At 7pm, I'll have a dinner consisting of a whole chicken breast with all the fat cut off. I also work 8-9 hours a day, and work out for at least 3. I ride my bike to work - 40 mins total, run on a treadmill for 20 mins, tread water with leg and wrist weights for 20 mins, and weight/body weight train.

Dont blame the carbs, any athlete will tell you its a load of crap

mom of 4 7-28-2007 @ 3:38PM

Raising 4 kids, I agree it is very expensive to find healthy choices for me and my family. I have found, however, that warehouse club stores, like Costco, sell organic frozen veggies for about the same as regular frozen veggies. I read that recents studies have shown that organic foods have more fiber, vitamins and minerals than their non-organic counterparts. I am not a health food nut, nor a vegetarian. I have learned that even making small changes can bring big benefits. Mind you, I am a typical American mom, with the typical American diet. I am overweight but with making two small changes to the way I eat, I have lost 50 pounds in a year!!! All I did was only eat when I felt hungry (and I eat whatever I feel like), and I watch my portions better. THAT IS IT!!! I am not one who exercises, other than chasing kids around all day, and like I said, I eat what I want. I usually have a peanut-butter sandwich for breakfast!!! Oh, and chocolate milk with it!!! LOL!!! My point being, if we exercise moderation, and at least try to buy the best that we can afford, we should at least be moderately healthy. I know I am feeling much better than I did a year ago!!!!

shadow 7-28-2007 @ 6:55PM

mom of 4,

Yes, it is about a gradual transition. Doing a complete turn around ove night will lead to failure for most of us because it is too drastic of a change. After a year of doing what you've been doing, you can begin to add even more small changes to improve your health and overall life even more. Congratulations to you for taking your life and the life of your children into your own hands by taking the first steps to health. I am also gradually transitioning to a healthier person all the time. I know where you are coming from.