Drop that Doughnut: Healthy Eating is Key to Fighting America's Obesity Problem

Americans like things big. We build the biggest houses, drive the biggest SUVs and eat the biggest meals. Unfortunately, all that “supersized” living has taken its toll on the country’s health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60 percent of Americans are overweight and of these, more than 30 percent are obese. That works out to more than 60 million people over the age 20.

To make matters worse, the problem isn't faced by adults alone. Statistics show that the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6 to 19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight.

While television commercials are filled with magic pills and effortless weight loss plans, the experts agree that there are two key ingredients in any weight loss recipe.

“Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle,” said Donna Mehrle, manager of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “We must step up our efforts to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families. ”

In Mehrle’s home state, obesity has increased dramatically - nearly doubling in the past 15 years. In 2002, more than 23 percent of Missourians over age 18 were obese, compared to 11.9 percent in 1990. More than half of Missouri adults are overweight, a condition which can lead to obesity.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s office warns that obesity is a contributing factor in a number of chronic illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and some types of cancer.

In Missouri, Gov. Matt Blunt has launched the Healthy Missourians Initiative, a statewide plan to fight obesity that emphasizes the importance of efforts to help residents maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent a number of chronic diseases and live longer, healthier lives.