Obesity rates climbing at alarming rates

Going for a walk

Americans are getting fat, it is undeniable.  An article "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012, notes how if things don't change, over half of all Americans will be obese by the year 2030. This would result in a rise of obesity-related disease rates and corresponding spike in health care costs.

In order to curb our nation's growing weight problem the following recommendations were made:

Fully implement the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, by implementing the new school meal standards and updating nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages in schools;

Protect the Prevention and Public Health Fund;

Increase investments in effective, evidence-based obesity-prevention programs;

Fully implement the National Prevention Strategy and Action Plan;

Make physical education and physical activity a priority in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;

Finalize the Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children Guidelines;

Fully support healthy nutrition in federal food programs; and

Encourage full use of preventive health care services and provide support beyond the doctor’s office.