Obesity Rates Surging In Rural America

Severe obesity rates have been on the rise nationwide since the turn of the century, affecting children and adults, this according to two U.S. studies

The sad news is that in rural communities, severe obesity rates more than tripled.  Researchers examined data on height and weight collected from 2001 - 2016 for adults 20 and older and for youth ages 2 to 19.  The news is not good as the health of these people continues to deteriorate.

Severe obesity affects quality of life and has some very serious health risks that included increased risk of premature death and several cancers and diabetes.

One of the main problems is that for the poorest, buying cheap and unhealthy food is much easier to afford than buying vegetables and proteins.

I have heard of schools that are teaching kids healthy cooking, and also how to grow gardens with delicious and healthy vegetables that they can incorporate in their daily diets.

This could become a lost generation, unless something is done to help these people help them help themselves.  It is heartbreaking to see a young child so grossly overweight that he gets winded walking, when he should be out running and playing with friends.  THAT is not how a childhood should be.