Cleveland Clinic’s Obesity Summit is going on this week, addressing the problems the obesity epidemic causes for healthcare. A representative for presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke about his policy to fix the obesity problem in America. WKYC-TV 3 provided coverage.
Click HERE if the embeded video doesn't play.
From: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/live/courses/2008/obesity08/overview.htm
Obesity is a major public health problem. Approximately two-thirds of the US population is overweight (ie, BMI > 25) and nearly half of those are obese(ie, BMI > 30). The increase in obesity is linked to a corresponding increase in obesity comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, stroke, asthma, sleep apnea, liver and gallbladder disease, depression, low back pain, urinary incontinence, and several forms of cancer (eg, breast, prostate, colon). Obese individuals have a 50% to 100% increased risk of death from all causes when compared with normal-weight individuals.Cleveland Clinic also sponsors Cleveland Clinic Bikes which is an "Employee Wellness initiative to provide resources for our employees that commute by bicycle, participate in biking events, or just like to ride with the family on weekends."
After I had a routine physical 5 years ago when the doctor told me that I should shed a few pounds, I've begun to take my health seriously. After a loss of 30 lbs (from 172-174 down to 141-143 at 5'7"), I feel 5-10 years younger. I have mentioned many times the benefits of cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/search?q=health I've given excerpts below of some of the information that the preceeding link return.
Awesome... Yet another reason to move to Europe.
Reuters Health: 'All U.S. adults could be overweight in 40 years'
An interesting angle on $4 per gallon for gas
The mass transit boom, Lower obesity rates, Fewer accidents, Shorter commutes, etc.
17 Reasons Bicycles Are Most Popular Vehicle in the World
2. Bicycling can make you healthy and hot… er… hotter.
4. Bicycling builds social groups and better community development.
5. Bicycling may encourage the breakdown of economic divides.
7. By reducing air pollution, bicycling instead of driving also reduces rates of asthma and lung disease.
8. Bicycling saves Australia nearly a quarter billion dollars in health costs each year.
13. A bicycle crash alone isn’t likely to kill you. (unlike auto accidents)
14. Bicyclists breath in less air pollution.
Obama Pledges Funding for Bike Programs
UbanVelo.org reports:
According to an article on Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, “If he were elected president he would increase funding for cycling and pedestrian projects.”In response to last week’s photo of Obama cycling, the presidential hopeful jokingly admitted, “He looked like Urkel.”Read the whole article here.
While the whole article is a must read, I think the following sums it up very well:
Benjacat's post on Freedom Machines.Stan Day, SRAM’s president, said that Obama “gets it.” He pointed out that Obama understands that bicycles can be part of a solution to issues as diverse as health care, obesity, energy and environmental policy. “He does his homework and he can connect the dots,” he said.
In addition to infrastructure costs there are dozens of increased costs incured by American society due to the automobile. One of which is the increased cost of health care for the obese and sedentary;
Another poach from the Benjacat Blog
I think the culture he refers to is more widespread than it should be; I have witnessed it firsthand. Bicycles are seen as toys while cars are seen as a part of growing up. Well America is definitely growing and not in a good way. Just do a Google search for "Fat Americans". I'll even make it really easy, just click the link so you don't need exercise your fingers. ;) I especially like the Wired article that turned up in the over 50,000 results.
How about it, what are your thoughts on this issue?
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