Obesity Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Obesity In America

By Myfawny Craighter

Mississippi takes the cake for having the highest percentage of obese individuals in the United States, with 32% of the population considered more than simply "overweight." Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia and Louisiana also rank high on the list.

The state with the lowest rate of obesity is Colorado, where 18% of the population is considered obese. Since most states fluctuate between 20 and 30%, health officials have said we are experiencing an "obesity epidemic," which can result in untold burdens on the health care system, Medicaid and Medicare.

Obesity And Caloric Intake Are Interlinked

According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity and caloric intake are interlinked. "Weight management is all about balance -- balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses or burns off," the site says.

For instance, if you review your options and eat the same number of calories your body is using each day, then your weight will remain stable. For the average American, this amount is about 2,000 calories per day. If you eat more calories than your body can use ("in caloric excess"), these calories will store as fat, so if you’re going far over 2,000 each day, you need to assess your diet nutrition habits.

In Caloric Deficit

If you are eating fewer calories than you’re using ("in caloric deficit"), your body will begin pulling from its fat cell storage for energy, so your weight will decrease. Most diets suggest between 1,200 - 1,500 calories daily to lose weight.

Genetics may play a role in one’s ability or inability to lose weight, but researchers caution that this should not be used as a way of rationalizing the chance of putting on too many pounds, which is taking place in our population.

Strong Genetic Determinants

"Despite obesity having strong genetic determinants, the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore, the large increase in . . . [obesity] must reflect major changes in non-genetic factors," reports James O. Hill and Frederick L. Trowbridge.

Genes are linked to excessive weight gain in people with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, but in general, any person is capable of adhering to a diet and weight loss regime.

Overweight And Obese Medical Expenses

In addition to the overt health consequences, there are also economic ramifications associated with obesity. In 1999, overweight and obese medical expenses accounted for 9.1% of all U.S. medical expenditures, reaching a total of $78.5 billion. Half of these expenses were paid by Medicaid and Medicare.

Today, the expenses are more than $95 billion, which are not only taking its toll with the cost of treatment and diagnostic services, but also in morbidity and mortality costs, with diminished productivity, absenteeism and lost wages.

A state like Mississippi paid out $757 million to service its overweight population’s medical needs. With 19.7% of these people served by Medicare and Medicaid, state taxes will be run ragged.

This Article was about Obesity.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

About the Author:
Myfawny Craighter is an author of articles on dieting, weight loss, eating disorders and nutrition including Diet Information, Weight Loss Success, Body Fat, Fat Scales, Special Diets, Herbal Weight Loss, Eating Disorders, Binge Eating.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

Did You Know?

Being significantly overweight can kill you. Each pound you add to your frame puts more stress on your heart, muscles and respiratory system. Obesity can easily lead to developing diabetes and can even cost you the ability to walk if you weigh too much.

It is easy for some to diet and exercise but for others this just does not always come as easy. But there is help out there if you are overweight and cannot do it on your own. There are programs and supplements that you can take.