According to a report alarmingly titled Kentucky Obesity Epidemic 2004, issued July 23, 2004 by the University of Kentucky Center for Prevention Research, the Obesity and Chronic Disease Prevention Program and related divisions and branches of the Kentucky Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. According to the report, 70% of Kentucky men and 55% of Kentucky women are overweight or obese, requiring drastic action:
According to the report, slowing the rate of overweight and obesity among at-risk adults and children in Kentucky and weight reduction among those already overweight and obese can provide significant economic and quality-of-life benefits.Medical expenses related to overweight and obesity are more than 35 percent higher for obese adults than for adults of normal weight. Last year, $1.1 billion was spent in Kentucky on medical costs directly related to obesity.
“Nearly two-thirds of Kentucky adults are either overweight or obese and almost one-third of Kentucky children are overweight or at-risk for becoming overweight,†said Dr. James W. Holsinger, Jr., secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “We all face an enormous job ahead of us to educate people and to develop and execute obesity prevention and reduction strategies that work.â€
While there are many causes of overweight and obesity, the report concludes that changes in society and individual behavior over the last 25 years are primary causes.
Those are alarming statistics to be sure. One reason, of course, is that the statistics are based on the Body Mass Index, which has incredibly restrictive definitions of “normal” weight. I am 6′0″ and 185 pounds, I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and watch what I eat, and according to the formula, I have a BMI of 25.1, which makes me “overweight” (normal weight would be a BMI of no more that 24.9). And up until June 1998, I wouldn’t have been overweight at all - the BMI criteria from the NHANES II survey defined “normal” to include BMIs up to 25.8. Many have criticized the BMI, arguing that because it cannot differentiate between fat and muscle, many fit individuals are wrongly called overweight or even obese (i.e. Brad Pitt is overweight, while Russell Crowe is obese).
Put all that aside, and assume that many Kentuckians are too fat - it is, after all, a state famous for dishes like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burgoo, the Hot Brown, Derby Pie and the Mint Julep. What should we do about it? The state’s response is a $450,000 study, funded by a CDC grant, to “to explore ways to encourage children and adults to make lifestyle changes that can help make people and communities healthier.” Now ongoing are 9 public forums to get input on the ways we Kentuckians can be less fat., to be used when the Commonwealth develops its “action plan.” Among the ideas from the Lexington forum:
- More Farmers Market vouchers for the poor and elderly
- Eliminate vending machines in schools
- Provide more safe places for adults and children to play
- Plant gardens at schools and assisted-living facilities
I could have saved the government a lot of money - here is my 2-step Action Plan for reducing obesity:
- Eat Less
- Move More
It’s not that I disagree that obesity is a health problem, it’s just that it’s a health problem individuals have total control over, and a $450,000 government study and the inevitable multi-million dollar “action plan” isn’t going to change that.
