Obesity a Growing Problem in Michigan

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Obesity a Growing Problem in Michigan

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Written by Amanda Johnston

Friday, 23 April 2010 18:46

Over 60% of Kent County residents are either overweight or obese, according to a Michigan Department of Community Health study from 2007. In 2008, Michigan had the 8th highest obesity rate in the United States, with 30% of its residents qualifying as obese and 35% as overweight. Since 2001 the obesity rate in our state has risen 22%. The trend is ever rising! Obesity is a huge risk factor for serious diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease, and stroke. It also increases a person’s chances of suffering from high cholesterol and high blood pressure by as much as 30%!

Obesity has many causes, but predominately behavioral and environmental factors influence its development. Inspect your kitchen. Is it filled with high fat, high calorie foods? Is food laying out in plain sight? This may increase grazing habits, and thus your weight.

Other factors for obesity can be emotional, such as low self-esteem or even trauma. How stressed are you? Do you use food for comfort or to calm down? How much alcohol do you consume? Alcohol is very high in calories. All of these factors and many others contribute to weight problems. Even small lifestyle changes can make a difference and hopefully alter those grim statistics.

Sources:
1. “Obesity-Cause,” www.webmd.com/diet/tc/obesity-cause
2. Overweight and Obesity in Michigan: Surveillance Report Series, www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/obesity_chapter_283600_7.pdf - 2009-06-24
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Obesity a Growing Problem in Michigan
Friday, 23 April 2010
Over 60% of Kent County residents are either overweight or obese, according to a Michigan Department of Community Health study from 2007. In 2008,...

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