Thursday, July 2, 2009

Obesity Rates Rising

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/01/health/AP-US-MED-Obesity-Rankings.html?_r=1

Obesity rates continue to rise in America.  The news people are surprised, but I am not.  Considering the economy, it makes sense that people would be eating cheaper, crappier food.  The sad thing is, they are just costing themselves in the long run.  According to the article, medicare spends $1,400-$6,000 more per year on obese adults.  It is a ridiculous waste of money. I understand it might not be easy for everyone, but we should have more programs to prevent this! If that money could go toward better school lunches, and maybe some phy-ed classes, kids would be off to a better start, and less likely to become obese later in life. 

The fattest states are Mississippi and Alabama, and the fittest are Colorado and Vermont.