US Not Alone in the Obesity Epidemic

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One in every three adults in the United States are obese or overweight. As more and more people turn to medical weight loss programs for support, many point their finger at the unhealthy nature of the typical American diet as the primary reason as to why such a large portion of our population are struggling with obesity and weight loss.

However, a new report indicates that the obesity epidemic isn’t necessarily unique to Americans. As it turns out, there is a growing trend globally of people struggling with excess weight.

Obesity Becoming a Problem in China

In China, this trend is already effecting a large percentage of the childhood population. Currently, just under 25% of all boys and under 15% of girls are obese in China. By 2030, it is predicted that a quarter of all Chinese children will actually be obese. This puts China in a position similar to that of the United States, where obesity rates are climbing to effect dangerous proportions of the population.

There are several factors that are considered at the center of this growing obesity epidemic; factors that many consider to be at least in part to blame for the rise in childhood obesity across the globe. These factors include:

  • Globalization of the fast-food industry, with the introduction of major fast food restaurants to China over the past decade.
  • Increase in sedentary behavior as more childhood pass-time activities become computer oriented.
  • Growing trend of the “white-collar” workforce and accompanying lifestyle, which is more sedentary.

The realization that obesity is not solely an issue at home does not take away from the seriousness of the problem. If anything, this makes obesity, and childhood obesity in particular, an even bigger issue to be concerned about. There has been a major shift in the way people eat and spend their free time, not to mention their professional time. Across the world, people are spending more time sitting down and are consuming more processed foods that are rich in fats and sugars instead of following more traditional or healthy diets.

Research indicates that people who struggle with obesity as children are more likely to remain obese as an adult, meaning that the growing trend in childhood obesity in the US and China is just as much of a problem for the adult population as it is for the youth. Increasing awareness on healthy eating habits, exercise goals, and medical weight loss programs is a great way to encourage kids to develop a healthier lifestyle that is free of obesity.

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