Healthy Eating Facts and Figures

The Status of our Waistline

A healthy lifestyle encompasses many components, such as healthy eating, physical activity, and managed physical and mental health. One of the most important components for all ages is healthy eating.  Although healthy eating factors may be common knowledge to most, many still fail to intake foods that are nutritious, low in fat and sodium, and that help reduce risks of chronic disease. 

The face of the United States and world has changed drastically over the last 30 years as related to healthy eating and physical activity. These changes have affected our waistline, our wallet, and our way of life.  Each day, Americans are faced with choices that will affect their long term health.  Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and the American Heart Association [AHA] shows the results of failing to choose and implement healthy lifestyle choices.  Of greatest concern to researchers, health professionals, and community leaders include the following:

• Reports from AHA in 2013 found 154.7 million Americans over the age of twenty were overweight or obese which was defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher.  Of these Americans, 79.9 were men and 74.8 being women (AHA, 2013).
• Over 78 million of these were found to be obese with a BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 and higher.  The majority of those were women represented by 41.6 million with the remaining 36.8 being male (AHA, 2013).
• According to the CDC (2014) those Americans in the 40-59 years old range suffer from higher obesity rates (39.5 percent) than those age 20 – 39 (30.3 percent) and 60 or above (35.4 percent).
• This overweight/obesity epidemic has catapulted heart disease, stroke, and diabetes into leading causes of preventable death.
• Those who are considered obese have health care costs that are an estimated $1,429 higher than those who are not (CDC, 2014).  Socioeconomic status is a predictor of obesity; higher income women are less likely to be obese than low-income women.

When looking at specific dietary intake patterns, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition [PCFSP] (n.d.) found most Americans daily consumptions of fats, sugar, and sodium exceeds the recommended intake levels.  In fact, 90 percent of Americans were consuming a higher level of sodium than recommended; most consume an average of 3,400 milligrams daily which is far beyond the recommended 2,300 milligrams (PCFSP, n.d.).  In addition, to fat, sugar, and sodium, the caloric intake has increased by an average 600 calories per day from 1970 with the majority of those calories coming from the consumption of fast food.  Empty calorie choices such as sodas, fruit juices, and desserts contribute to 40 percent of the total daily calories for children 2 to 18 years of age (PCFSP, n.d.).

The increased consumption of unhealthy foods not only affects our waistlines, but our wallets as well.  The American Heart Association [AHA] (2013) estimates total cost of overweight and obesity at $254 billion annually.  These costs are reflected in lost productivity and direct medical costs.  If this trend continues, these costs could escalate to $861 to $957 billion by the year 2030, accounting for approximately 17 percent of health expenditures in the United States (AHA, 2013).

What will the future of the U.S. look like in regards to obesity?  The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDKD] (2012) has found the prevalence of obesity increasing since the 1960’s among adults; however, from 1999 to 2010 the obesity increase has begun to stabilize for adults (NIDDKD, 2012).  Furthermore, obesity rates for children and adolescents has also stabilized at approximately 17 percent; a change from the fast increasing rates seen in the 1980s and 1990s (NIDDKD, 2012).  Although stabilization is a positive indicator, the goal is still to decrease overweight and obesity rates in the U.S. 

Decreasing obesity rates can be achieved through healthy eating practices and lifestyle behavior changes.  NIDDKD (2013) provides suggestions that healthy eating habits begin by:

• Eating more fruits and vegetables; whole grain breads and cereals; fat-free or low-fat dairy; seafood, lean meats, and eggs; and beans, nuts, and seeds.

• Limiting foods such as sugary drinks, foods high in fats such as butter or others that are solid at room temperature, and refined grains such as chips and crackers. 

Furthermore, healthy living can be enhanced through increased physical activity including both aerobic and weight bearing exercises.  Developing healthy eating patterns with the goal of decreasing obesity is not an easy task; however, health educators can play a vital role in implementing programs, increasing awareness, and wavering community support for changes. 

  

References

American Heart Association (2013) Statistical fact sheet:  2013 update.  Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf

CDC, (2014, September)  Adult obesity facts.  Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2012).   Overweight and obesity statistics.  Retrieved from http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/