Obesity, Diabetes Continue Toll on U.S.
From the Associated Press today:
Although the AP story does not mention it, many of the problems with obesity are due to diabetes related complications.
A graduate student recently predicted that perhaps in 20 years we will look at carbonated soft drink manufacturers the way we look at tobacco companies today. As these data continue to emerge, this looks increasingly likely.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans are living longer than ever, but not as long as people in 41 other countries.
For decades, the United States has been slipping in international rankings of life expectancy, as other countries improve health care, nutrition and lifestyles.
...Among the other factors:
•Adults in the United States have one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Nearly a third of U.S. adults 20 years and older are obese, while about two-thirds are overweight, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Although the AP story does not mention it, many of the problems with obesity are due to diabetes related complications.
A graduate student recently predicted that perhaps in 20 years we will look at carbonated soft drink manufacturers the way we look at tobacco companies today. As these data continue to emerge, this looks increasingly likely.
Labels: diabetes, health communication
posted by Samuel D. Bradley at 7:42 AM
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3 Comments:
My first project I worked on here was designing an online patient portal for patients with type 2 diabetes to use to help them manage their self-care. I'll let you know when we get some things published. It is a serious, serious health concern.
It's fun to blame soda, but let's not forget how many people today work for a living by sitting -- in front of a computer. I gained 10 pounds in my first six months after college, simply because I was no longer hoofing it around the NMSU campus, and instead copy editing for 10 hour a night, five days a week. It was disastrous.
We are lazy. And sedintary. I totally agree. This takes a pretty massive cultural shift.
Stopping the massive intake of high fructose corn syrup seems like an easier first step.
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