There are 1 billion overweight individuals worldwide who add to society’s modern epidemic: obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tracked the cumulative weight gain of our society by state. Results can be viewed at: www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/ trends.html.
The findings point to the fact that nearly three out of four Americans are presently overweight and this obesity epidemic has become so severe that the CDC now refers to our society as “obesogenic” – or one that promotes increased food intake, nonhealthy foods, and physical inactivity.
Things are so bad that our government has created a task force to combat obesity called “The Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity” (DNPAO). Despite such concerns, public schools are dropping physical education classes, community recreational centers are closing, and fast-food chains are popping up at an alarming rate. The situation is so bad that doctors and scientists alike point their finger at obesity as the root cause of our national healthcare crisis.
Consider: In a 2007 study conducted by The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services it was reported that:
• 80% of type II diabetes is related to obesity.
• 70% of cardiovascular disease is related to obesity.
• 42% of breast and colon cancer cases are diagnosed among obese individuals.
• 26% of obese people have high blood pressure.
These figures clearly show that obesity is far too common in our society. The problem has become so worrisome that President Obama addressed the issue in a nationally televised speech. The moral is simply this: We as a people must stand up against obesity by learning to adopt healthy eating habits. Combined with exercise, such a change will place us firmly on the path to longevity.
Please submit questions to: Dr. Diego Ruiz, 582 Franklin Ave., Nutley, N.J. 07110 973-661-4601 or Dr.Ruiz@OptionsRehab. com
Dr. Diego Ruiz
A graduate of Life University’s School of Chiropractic, Dr. Ruiz is the founder and rehabilitation director of Options Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Center. An active member of the local community, Dr. Ruiz is fluent in Spanish, and, with his wife Rosalie, founded AUTISM ANGELS, which is a charity that supports economically challenged parents of children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is certified in Manipulation Under Anesthesia, Diagnostic Nerve Conduction Testing, and Active Release Technique. Dr. Ruiz is also a contributing health columnist for various publications.
