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Despite the millions spent on obesity research and billions spent on
quick weight loss diets, Americans are heavier than ever. In fact, 61
percent of American adults are now overweight, up from 45 percent some
20 years ago. What's more children are following in their parents'
heavier footsteps. One out of eight school-aged kids is obese, twice the
fraction of two decades ago. And, experts estimate that one in four is
overweight. Overweight in this case is defined as having a body mass
index (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) between
25 and 29.9 and obese is defined as having a BMI more than 30.
Our growing waistlines come with a growing cost to our health. It's
estimated that obesity-related diseases cost Americans nearly 100
billion dollars annually. After smoking, obesity and overweight comprise
the second most preventable cause of death in the United States.
Diabetes is the disease most closely linked to being overweight. Since
1990, type 2 diabetes has jumped by 33 percent nationwide. Further, a
growing number of persons with type 2 diabetes are adolescents, a
disease formerly seen mostly in overweight adults. Other diseases
associated with too much weight include high blood pressure, various
heart diseases and conditions, stroke, gallbladder disease,
osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and other respiratory problems, and certain
cancers.
Have we reached the pinnacle of obesity in America, or will it get worse
before it gets better? Rick Riess, who will be speaking at the Lillian
Smith Conference for Nutrition Educators this Thursday, believes obesity
in America has not reached its peak. He argues that as long as Americans
continue to value the quantity of food they can receive for their food
dollar over its healthfulness when they eat out and at home, we will
continue to see a steady increase in the level of obesity and
obesity-related health problems in this country.
What can be done to help curb the rise in obesity in this country? Is it
a personal issue or a public health issue? Does overweight have to be
synonymous with being unhealthy, or can you be fit and healthy at any
weight? What's being done to address this growing health issue? What do
successful programs have in common? These are just a few of the
questions and issues that will be addressed on the first day of the
two-day Lillian Fountain Smith Conference for Nutrition Educators, held
June 7 and 8 at the University Park Holiday Inn in Fort Collins.
Dr. Art Campfield, head of the department of food science and human
nutrition at Colorado State University, will open the conference with a
discussion on the epidemic of obesity in America, the challenges of
child and adolescent obesity and current treatments for obesity. Rick
Riess, director of behavioral medicine with Health Management Resources
Corporation in Boston, MA, will focus on environmental factors that
encourage overeating and discuss why he believes the syndrome of obesity
will get worse in America before it gets better.
Dr. Cindy Byfield, Ph.D., department of food science and human nutrition
will then discuss successful approaches to weight management. She will
focus on the success of a size acceptance approach to weight loss she
developed, called "On the Move." Dr. Jennifer
Anderson, Colorado State Extension food science and human
nutrition specialist, will close the day's program with a discussion of
factors associated with successful and unsuccessful health intervention
programs and a look at where we are headed in public health
intervention.
Day two of the conference will focus on the latest regarding dietary
guidelines and nutrient recommendations and on zinc as a paradigm for
establishing dietary reference intakes. The conference is open to the
public. Registration is $80 for both days; $50 for one day. For more
information, contact Cheri Pineda at (970) 491-1305.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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