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We have an epidemic in the United States (and Canada also) with many people overweight, some even obese. While this is bad enough, to make matters even worse, we aren’t even aware of it. Roughly 33% of Americans consider their weight to fall somewhere within the healthy range, according to Harris Interactive. Even more alarming is the fact that most Americans (70%) whose BMI’s would characterize them as obese, only consider themselves overweight. Forty percent of morbidly obese individuals consider themselves only overweight. This is extremely problematic because when persons who are obese or overweight don’t recognize and acknowledge it, they tend not to give the issue the attention it deserves, which can turn out to be a deadly mistake.

Because so many Americans are overweight, the definition of what is and what is not overweight or obese is different from what it used to be. More than 60% of Americans weigh more than they should, with Canada not that far behind. These are epidemic levels and if something isn’t done, it could threaten the viability of our nations.

Individuals that are overweight or obese suffer from chronic diseases at higher levels than people that are not. This places a burden not only on the individual, but also their employers and our health system.  Expensive treatment and medical care costs affect everyone through increasing insurance premiums. Individuals who are chronically ill might also miss work more often and may be less productive even when they are present which directly effects are country’s work force efficiency.

An online study, calculated the BMI (body mass index) of 2418 adults, 18 and older.  The study found that 34% of the study participants over the age of 20 were overweight. Thirty-four percent were classified as obese. These are startling figures. 

Though many individuals in the study believed that they were overweight because they failed to exercise enough, obesity experts aren’t so sure. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that losing weight isn’t only about a lack of exercise, but also portion control. Some experts suggest that individuals looking to lose weight keep a food diary while consuming a healthier diet and exercising on a consistent basis.

Unfortunately, the weight loss aspects that far too many experts skip out on all together are the mental and emotional causes of weight gain. Until these are identified and addressed, weight loss diets are akin to placing a band-aid on a bullet wound. They simply aren’t effective and won’t get the job done long-term. Because these sorts of issues (mental and emotional issues) are often the fuel that drives overeating and the consumption of foods that are unhealthy, until something is done to address these issues, weight loss will always be an uphill, losing battle. Once, however, a person is able to pinpoint why they overeat and make poor food choices, they can begin to take control over their diet rather than live a life where their diet controls them.

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