Obesity overtaking smoking as America`s number one killer
Released on = March 4, 2006, 1:45 pm
Press Release Author = michael Nolan
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release Summary = Obesity overtaking smoking as America's number one killer;
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Press Release Body = Obesity overtaking smoking as America's number one killer
Article Date: 09 Mar 2004 - 0:00am (UK)
American government researchers said that obesity is quickly overtaking smoking as
the country's number one killer. In fact, obesity is becoming such a problem that
many experts now say it is compromising all the benefits of recent improvements in
health care and medical breakthroughs.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) smoking in 2000
was the biggest cause of death - 435,000 people died. 18.1% of everyone who died in
that year died of a smoking related disease.
Obesity (bad diet and no exercise) was the cause of 400,000 deaths.
129.6 Americans are overweight or obese. That is a staggering 64% of the population.
If obesity continues to rise, by the year 2020, 20% of all health care spending will
be on obesity related diseases and conditions. This is according to the Rand
Corporation.
The American Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson said 'Americans
need to understand that overweight and obesity are literally killing us. To know
that poor eating habits and inactivity are on the verge of surpassing tobacco use as
the leading cause of preventable death in America should motivate all Americans to
take action to protect their health. We need to tackle America's weight issues as
aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco.'
You are obese when your BMI (Body Mass Index) is more than 30. One in three
Americans is obese, says the CDC.
When your BMI goes over 30, your risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes
increases dramatically.
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