Did You Know's
This section provide helpful tips and general information to get you in touch with agencies, foundations and community outreach vendors.
| Percent of Obese (BMI > 30) in U.S. Adults |
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| Percent of Obese (BMI > 30) in U.S. Adults |
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| 2008 State Obesity Rates |
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| State | % | State | % | State | % | State | % |
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| Alabama | 31.4 | Illinois | 26.4 | Montana | 23.9 | Rhode Island | 21.5 |
| Alaska | 26.1 | Indiana | 26.3 | Nebraska | 26.6 | South Carolina | 30.1 |
| Arizona | 24.8 | Iowa | 26.0 | Nevada | 25.0 | South Dakota | 27.5 |
| Arkansas | 28.7 | Kansas | 27.4 | New Hampshire | 24.0 | Tennessee | 30.6 |
| California | 23.7 | Kentucky | 29.8 | New Jersey | 22.9 | Texas | 28.3 |
| Colorado | 18.5 | Louisiana | 28.3 | New Mexico | 25.2 | Utah | 22.5 |
| Connecticut | 21.0 | Maine | 25.2 | New York | 24.4 | Vermont | 22.7 |
| Delaware | 27.0 | Maryland | 26.0 | North Carolina | 29.0 | Virginia | 25.0 |
| Washington DC | 21.8 | Massachusetts | 20.9 | North Dakota | 27.1 | Washington | 25.4 |
| Florida | 24.4 | Michigan | 28.9 | Ohio | 28.7 | West Virginia | 31.2 |
| Georgia | 27.3 | Minnesota | 24.3 | Oklahoma | 30.3 | Wisconsin | 25.4 |
| Hawaii | 22.6 | Mississippi | 32.8 | Oregon | 24.2 | Wyoming | 24.6 |
| Idaho | 24.5 | Missouri | 28.5 | Pennsylvania | 27.7 | | |
The data shown in these maps were collected through the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Each year, state health departments use standard procedures to collect data through
a series of monthly telephone interviews with U.S. adults. Prevalence estimates generated for the maps may vary slightly from those generated for the states by the BRFSS as slightly different analytic methods are used. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/1
If you are not active, it will affect your body's system completely down to the cellular level. Your ability to transfer oxygen from the bloodstream to the cells is decreased and power producing parts of your cell structure are also decreased.
- It’s never too late to get started. Even in your 90's, all of the body's systems can be stimulated and benefit by exercise program.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes insensitive to insulin in the blood, which causes blood sugar level to rise. This often happens when we become inactive. Exercise reverses the damage by increasing insulin sensitivity.
- Some studies support the link between exercise and increased mental sharpness. Those who are physically active are at lower risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
- Exercise not only strengthens the heart muscle, it also increases the flexibility of the arteries and blood vessels, making it easier for the blood to flow and reducing the chances of a blockage.
- Exercise lowers blood pressure, raises HDL cholesterol, and reduces the risk of blood clots.
- Higher load is more important that a lot of repetitions. A good rule to follow is to use a weight that allows you to do at least 8 but no more than 15 repetitions.
- The average American consumes the following daily:
1. One or two large meals, usually in the afternoon or night.
2. Inadequate water consumption.
3. Five time the recommended sodium intake.
4. Two to three times the recommended amount of protein, fat, cholesterol and sugar.
5. Less than half the recommended fiber and carbohydrate intake.
6. Excessive caffeine quantities.
- The average non-fit person's heart will have to beat 20,000 times more every day to pump the same amount of blood as a fit person's.
- Regular exercise can boost your immune system, but overexertion or occasional strenuous exercise can have the opposite effect.
- An hour of brisk walking per day cuts the risk of obesity by 24%.
- People who are active are less likely to become depressed - in one study by much as 20%.
Preventing Weight Gain
If you're currently at a healthy weight, you're already one step ahead
of the game. To stay at a healthy weight, it's worth doing a little
planning now.
Or maybe you are overweight but aren't ready to lose weight yet.
If this is the case, preventing further weight gain is a worthy goal.
As people age, their body composition gradually shifts — the
proportion of muscle decreases and the proportion of fat increases.
This shift slows their metabolism, making it easier to gain weight. In addition, some people become less physically active as they get older, increasing the risk of weight gain.
The good news is that weight gain can be prevented by choosing a lifestyle that includes good eating habits and daily physical activity.
By avoiding weight gain, you avoid higher risks of many chronic
diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/prevention/index.html
What is healthy weight loss?
It's natural for anyone trying to lose weight to want to lose it very quickly. But evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off.
Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.
To lose weight, you must use up more calories than you take in. Since one pound equals 3,500 calories, you need to reduce your caloric intake by 500—1000 calories per day to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week.1
Once you've achieved a healthy weight, by relying on healthful eating and physical activity most days of the week (about 60—90 minutes, moderate intensity), you are more likely to be successful at keeping the weight off over the long term. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/index.html
The information comes from research articles by:
The Center for Science in 2005
Cencus Department
Almanac of American Politics
Amercan Muscle and Fitness
Diabetes Foundation
Cancer Foundation
Mental Health Foundation
Department of Health & Human Services