Category: Diet & Nutrition

Is Not Consuming Poisons in Our Food a Luxury?

The Perception of Healthy Eating as a Privilege in the U.S. Healthcare Landscape

Today in the US, access to nutritious food is often perceived as a privilege rather than a basic necessity. There is a combination of systemic issues in the food and healthcare industries, social inequality, and perhaps a narrow public understanding of just what good health consists of. These issues have contributed to driving up the cost of nutritious food, creating significant obstacles to maintaining a healthy balanced diet. Ironically, as US healthcare costs continue to rise dramatically, the consumption of unhealthy foods contributes to chronic health conditions creating a vicious circle of events that push individuals further into the healthcare system and consequently perpetuating the cycle of preventable diseases. These are factors that in the US, have shaped the perception that eating healthfully is a luxury and how this perception stems from economic, cultural, and educational factors that influence food choices, physical health, and overall well-being.

Economic Constraints: Why Healthy Food Costs More

A simple reason for the perception of healthy eating as a luxury is the cost disparity between purchasing of nutritious and non-nutritious foods. Organic, fresh, and minimally processed foods are typically more expensive due to significant factors such as agricultural practices, supply chain logistics, and governmental subsidies (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015). Organic farming methods are more labor-intensive and produce lower crop yields compared to of conventional farming, which relies more heavily on use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers (Hughner et al., 2007). This added labor cost, along with a limited supply, increases the cost of organic food, making it less accessible to individuals with lower incomes (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015). Conversely, crops like soy, corn, and wheat, which are often genetically modified and treated with chemicals, are heavily subsidized by the U.S. government, making processed foods derived from these crops less expensive for consumers. This economic landscape perpetuates a cycle where affordable, nutritionally poor food is more accessible, while healthier options remain financially out of reach.

Processed Foods: The Price of Convenience

Aside from cost, processed foods that are loaded with sweeteners, artificial preservatives, and flavor enhancers are designed for maximum taste appeal, convenience, and shelf stability. These foods are quite often high in sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats, all of which contribute to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Monteiro et al., 2018). Low-income neighborhoods, where grocery stores lack fresh produce, frequently rely on this calorie-dense but nutritionally lacking products. The convenience and affordability of these foods cloud the fact that they are contributors to poor health when consumed long-term. The perception that eating healthy is a privilege, reflects not only the cost of food but also the accessibility and desire for unhealthful options that fit into the American fast-paced, budget-conscious lifestyles (Ver Ploeg et al., 2015).

Education and Health Literacy: The Hidden Barrier

A major factor adding to this issue is a lack of health education and literacy among the general population. Understanding the impact of nutrition on long-term health is not prioritized in many US schools, and misinformation about what constitutes “healthy” is extensive (Nestle, 2013). Marketing campaigns often mislead consumers into thinking that “sugar-free” or “low-fat” foods are healthy. In reality, these foods often contain harmful additives like high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame, which both have been linked to various health risks (Swithers, 2015). Also, public knowledge of the role of whole foods, hydration, and balanced macronutrient intake is often dismal, leading some to make choices that encourage immediate taste satisfaction over long-term health benefits (Nestle, 2013). As a result, the cultural perception of healthful food as a luxury is partly fueled by a lack of nutritional knowledge, leading individuals to turn to less expensive, popular foods over healthier, less well-understood options.

The Institutional Influence: Schools and Healthcare

Schools and the healthcare system also shape public perception and access to healthy food. School meal programs, specifically those in lower-income areas, often offer highly processed foods due to budget constraints and limited resources for fresh ingredients (Gaines et al., 2014). This reinforces the idea that nutrient-dense foods are exceptional rather than essential. Just as the U.S. healthcare system prioritizes treatment over prevention, schools rarely encourage dietary education as part of comprehensive healthcare (Schroeder, 2007). While medical professionals widely recognize the link between diet and chronic disease, the system rarely encourages preventive approaches, including education relative to nutrition and lifestyle changes (Schroeder, 2007). This gap leaves many young Americans, especially those without access to nutritional education, without a clear understanding of how a healthy diet influences long-term health.

Bottled Water vs. Sugary Beverages: A Reflection of Misplaced Priorities

The fact that bottled water costs more than soda and soft drinks reflects the prioritization of profit over public health. Soda and other sugary beverages are relatively cheap due to subsidies for their ingredients and widespread production. Bottled water prices remain high due to packaging and branding processes. This pricing paradox encourages consumers, particularly those with limited resources to choose soda over water. The strategic marketing of sugary drinks as less-expensive alternatives further contributes to poor dietary habits and supports the idea that basic, healthy choices are a privilege for the exclusive or elitist.

Breaking the Cycle: A Call for Systemic Change

Recognizing and addressing the perception of having a healthy diet, being a privilege requires systemic changes across multiple sectors. Lawmakers must evaluate agricultural subsidies to level the playing field between nutrient-dense foods and heavily processed products (Miller et al., 2016). Schools should encourage nutritional education and pursue methods to improve food quality within budgetary limits, especially in low-income areas (Gaines et al., 2014). Additionally, healthcare providers should encourage preventive care practices that focus on dietary education, empowering patients to make more informed food choices. With these changes, healthy eating can become more accessible and implemented.

In conclusion, the view of healthy eating as a luxury reflects societal inequities within the American food and healthcare systems. By reducing economic and informational barriers to nutritious food, American society can cultivate a culture where healthy choices are more available to everyone, making better health and well-being, not a privilege but a shared right.

References

Gaines, A. B., Lonis-Shumate, S. R., & Gropper, S. S. (2011). Evaluation of Alabama public school wellness policies and state school mandates. Journal of School Health, 81(5), 281-287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00588.x

Hughner, R. S., McDonagh, P., Prothero, A., Shultz, C. J., & Stanton, J. (2007). Who are organic food consumers? A compilation and review of why people purchase organic food. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 6(2-3), 94-110. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.210

Monteiro, C. A., Cannon, G., Levy, R. B., Moubarac, J.-C., Jaime, P., Martins, A. P., … & Swinburn, B. (2018). Ultra-processed foods: What they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutrition, 21(1), 6-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018003762

NESTLE, M. (2013). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (1st ed.). University of California Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt7zw29z

Schroeder, S. A. (2007). We can do better—improving the health of the American people. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(12), 1221-1228. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa073350

Swithers, S. E. (2015). Artificial sweeteners are not the answer to childhood obesity. Appetite, 93, 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.03.027

Ver Ploeg, M., Mancino, L., Todd, J. E., Clay, D. M., & Scharadin, B. (2015). Where do Americans usually shop for food and how do they travel to get there? Initial findings from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

Health and Wellness Issues Have Worsened in Recent Decades

People in the US are experiencing many mental and physical diseases, ailments, and chronic conditions that were not nearly as prominent in years past. Many diseases and issues previously experienced by adults, are now seen in children. Some experts believe there is a definite link between our food, lack of physical activity, chemicals, other lifestyle choices, and the state of poor health in the US.

https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults/

Mental Health Conditions

General Prevalence:

  • Approximately 60 million adults (23.08%) in the U.S. experienced a mental illness in the past year, and nearly 13 million adults (5.04%) reported serious thoughts of suicide ​NAMI​Mental Health America.
  • Among youth aged 12-17, one in five experienced at least one major depressive episode, with over 56% not receiving any treatment ​Mental Health America.

Specific Disorders:

  • Anxiety Disorders: Affect 19.1% of U.S. adults ​NAMI.
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Approximately 8.3% of adults experience a major depressive episode ​NAMI.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Affects about 2.8% of the population ​NAMI.
  • Substance Use Disorders:
  • Over 45 million adults (17.82%) and 2.3 million youth (8.95%) are experiencing substance use disorders Mental Health America.

Barriers to Treatment:

  • The ratio of people to mental health providers is concerning, with around 340 individuals for every provider in many areas ​Mental Health America.

Physical Health Conditions

  1. Chronic Conditions:
    • Obesity: Over 42% of U.S. adults are classified as obese​ National Institute of Mental Health. This condition is linked to various other health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.
    • Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions like hypertension and heart disease remain prevalent, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates ​National Institute of Mental Health.
  2. Diabetes:
  3. Respiratory Conditions:
  4. Musculoskeletal Disorders:

In recent years, the prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents in the U.S. has become increasingly concerning. Here’s an overview of the current landscape based on recent statistics:

  1. Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions:
    • Approximately 1 in 5 children (19%) aged 3-17 years has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder ​CDC​NAMI.
    • Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are particularly prominent, with anxiety disorders affecting 9.4% and major depressive episodes affecting 7.8% of this age group​Pediatrics​American Psychological Association.
    • Developmental Disorders: Conditions such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are becoming more commonly diagnosed. Approximately 9.4% of children aged 2-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, while around 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism​ HHS.gov​ CDC.
  2. Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors:
    • In 2023, 29% of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 14% reported seriously considering suicide​ CDC​Pediatrics.
    • Among LGBTQ+ youth, rates of suicidal ideation are alarmingly high, with 20% having attempted suicide ​CDC​American Psychological Association.
  3. Impact of Socioeconomic Factors:
    • Factors such as food insecurity, housing instability, and exposure to community violence contribute significantly to mental health challenges ​Pediatrics​American Psychological Association. Structural racism also plays a critical role, particularly affecting Indigenous and Black children, who face higher rates of mental health issues and trauma ​Pediatrics.
  4. Access to Treatment:
    • Despite the high prevalence of mental health conditions, many children lack access to necessary care. For instance, 50.6% of youth aged 6-17 with mental health disorders received treatment​NAMI. There are significant disparities based on socioeconomic status and race​ Pediatrics​American Psychological Association.
  5. Improvements and Challenges:
    • Some improvements have been noted recently, such as a decrease in persistent sadness among students overall, but increases in experiences of bullying and school safety concerns have been observed ​CDC. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for more comprehensive support systems in schools and communities ​Pediatrics​NAMI.

Physical Ailments

  1. Obesity: Childhood obesity is a significant concern, affecting approximately 19.7% of children aged 2 to 19 years as of 2020. This prevalence is higher among Hispanic (26.2%) and Black (24.8%) children compared to their White (16.6%) and Asian (9.0%) counterparts​ CDC. The annual medical costs related to obesity for U.S. children is estimated to be $1.3 billion CDC.
  2. Asthma: Approximately 7.5% of children in the U.S. have asthma, making it one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases. Asthma rates have been shown to vary with socioeconomic status, with children from lower-income families more likely to be affected​ CDC.
  3. Allergies: Allergic conditions, including food allergies and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), are prevalent among children. It’s estimated that 8% of children have food allergies, with increases seen in recent years​ CDC.
  4. Diabetes: The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) among children is around 1.5%. There has been a notable increase in Type 2 diabetes, attributed to rising obesity rates​ CDC.
  5. Sleep Disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnea affect an estimated 2% to 5% of children, often linked to obesity and resulting in various physical and mental health issues​ CDC.
  6. Vision and Hearing Impairments: Around 5% of children have some form of visual impairment, while 1.4% experience hearing loss​ CDC.
  7. Injuries: Unintentional injuries remain a leading cause of morbidity among children, with thousands of emergency department visits annually related to accidents​ CDC.

Conclusion

The combined rise in mental health issues and chronic physical conditions points to a pressing health crisis in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and social isolation, which further complicate access to care and treatment​

Mental Health America. It’s crucial for healthcare systems and policymakers to address these issues, focusing on improving access to mental health resources and integrating physical health strategies to support overall well-being.

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

US Youth Experiencing Adult Health Issues at Earlier Ages

Here are some summaries of factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues of obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression, suicide, and other issues, typically considered as adult issues in years past:

Obesity

  • Childhood obesity is a serious and growing problem in the United States. It affects almost 20% of children and teens ages 2 to 19.
  • Increased consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks: The rise of fast food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks has contributed to a significant increase in calorie intake and a decrease in nutrient intake among young people.
  • Decreased physical activity: The increased prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, due to factors such as television, video games, and computer use, has led to a decrease in physical activity among young people.
  • Marketing of unhealthy foods: Children and adolescents are bombarded with advertisements for unhealthy foods, which can influence their dietary choices.
(Joyner, 2023)

Diabetes

  • Genetic predisposition: Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic component, and a family history of the disease increases the risk of developing it.
  • Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
  • Unhealthy diet: A diet that is high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Lack of physical activity: Physical activity helps to control blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Anxiety and depression

  • Increased academic pressure: Young people today face a lot of pressure to succeed in school, which can lead to stress and anxiety.
  • Social media: Social media can be a source of both positive and negative social interactions. For some young people, social media can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and anxiety.
  • Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a growing problem that can have a serious impact on the mental health of young people.
  • Fear of violence: Young people today are more likely to be exposed to violence, both in their communities and in the media. This exposure can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress.

Suicide

  • Mental health disorders: Mental health disorders are a major risk factor for suicide.
  • Substance abuse: Substance abuse is another major risk factor for suicide.
  • Exposure to violence: Young people who are exposed to violence are more likely to attempt suicide.
  • Lack of access to mental health care: Many young people who need mental health care do not receive it, which can increase their risk of suicide.

Other issues

  • Sleep deprivation: Young people today are more likely to be sleep deprived, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.
  • Exposure to environmental toxins: Young people are more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins, such as lead and air pollution, which can have a negative impact on their health.
  • Lack of access to healthy food: Many young people do not have access to healthy food, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

These are just some of the factors that are leading the US younger population to be experiencing major health issues. It is important to address these issues to promote the health and well-being of young people. I think that we are way past thinking and talking about these issues as maybe being a concern, and rather look at them as a harbinger of what is soon to come. More doing and less pondering. Just below is the link to my YouTube video, introducing a strategy to help address this issue of combating youth mental and physical decline:

References:

Infographics | DASH | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/multimedia/infographics_posters/infographics.htm

Covert, D., & Fraire, M. G. (2019). The role of anxiety for youth experiencing suicide-related behaviors. Children’s Health Care, 48(4), 351–371. https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2019.1630284

Chen, M., Padmapriya, N., Chua, X. H., Escobosa, L. L. T., Tay, A. E., Tai, B. C., Petrunoff, N., & Müller-Riemenschneider, F. (2024). Screen viewing patterns and their association with mental wellbeing and psychological distress: a cross-sectional study amongst university students. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19608-1

Dalton, E. D., Hammen, C. L., Brennan, P. A., & Najman, J. M. (2016). Pathways maintaining physical health problems from childhood to young adulthood: The role of stress and mood. Psychology & health, 31(11), 1255–1271. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1204448

Jones, L. C., Mrug, S., Elliott, M. N., Toomey, S. L., Tortolero, S., & Schuster, M. A. (2017). Chronic Physical Health Conditions and Emotional Problems From Early Adolescence Through Midadolescence. Academic pediatrics, 17(6), 649–655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2017.02.002

Joyner, J. (2023, December 9). CDC updates tool to help treat childhood obesity. Healthnews. https://healthnews.com/news/cdc-updates-tool-to-help-treat-childhood-obesity/

Scheiner, C., Grashoff, J., Kleindienst, N., & Buerger, A. (2022). Mental disorders at the beginning of adolescence: Prevalence estimates in a sample aged 11-14 years. Public health in practice (Oxford, England), 4, 100348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100348

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Most Have Choices, but Don’t Like the Options

Often people feel that they have no choices regarding their own health. This is true for some people, but mostly I see people having choices that they don’t like. An individual may have little control or lose their ability to take personal responsibility for their own health, due to that individual’s unique set of circumstances. Children are often subject to the habits and actions of their parents until they learn about nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Those who suffer from mental illness or are injured may be unable to take control of their own health, where others or government agencies are needed to intervene. Those in prisons are also not really in much control of what they consume, physical activity, and violence that may affect their health and well-being. Some individuals have their own unique socioeconomic factors that may affect or lead to their inability to have proper nutrition or access to healthcare and fitness options. I think this is where society needs to make a distinction between providing help to those who cannot take care of themselves and those who choose not to take care of themselves.

We live in a time where behavior contradictions abound. Such as taking the time and effort to buy and prepare their own foods of a healthier variety; fast food is often cheaper and tastes better they may justify. Or people will have no budget for nutritious foods or a gym membership but will visit Starbucks daily for $5.00+ sugar-loaded coffee drinks. Despite this current mentality, some with little resources still may find time to walk, run, swim, practice calisthenics, or watch free YouTube exercise classes for almost every type of exercise method. These options are available for free, but many choose not to exercise or pursue a healthy diet. We as a society need to get past looking at health and well-being as a luxury, privilege, or commodity. Rather we can see health, fitness, and wellness as basic life skills that need to be taught at the grade school level, so we can become a better nation. Become healthy.

From a holistic health point of view, everything influences and affects healthy or unhealthy behaviors. What we think, what we eat, and how we move, are what I see as the root components of our health and wellbeing. Everything else basically branches off from these factors. If I must pick one aspect of behavior that is most important, I will highlight personal responsibility. Over many decades, our American society has gradually eroded from people feeling and being responsible for their own health and well-being, to that where many people feel that it is the government, their doctors, their employers, and everyone else’s responsibility to keep the individual healthy.  The state of Vermont has implemented a program called the Vermont 3-4-50, which offers the potential for people to become more self-empowered to seek out the resources to become better educated regarding better nutrition, physical activity, and mental health (HealthVermont, 2019). The program seems to be based on politicians, employers, and schools all promoting the program. The key component here is that schools need to play a major role in teaching the youth how to live a healthy lifestyle. It is so cliché, but the youth of today are indeed the leaders of tomorrow. There has been much media attention in the last year on how the recent generation, or Gen Z, is now being labeled as the “anxious” or “depressed” generation. This program and mindset are exactly what is needed not just for Gen Z but for people of all ages. Hopefully, the 3-4-50 program can spread more awareness and become implemented on a national level.  

Make good choices. Be wise in your decisions, as your life and those you care about are most affected by your thoughts and actions.

Reference: HealthVermont. (2019, July 1). 3-4-50 Vermont: Standing together to reduce chronic disease [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGlv0aC86HU

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

An Ultra-Processed Diet – we truly “are what we eat”

https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ultra-processed-foods-dietary-guidelines-de00ccaa?st=vz6iq81le7e0ew4&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Most of us were taught a very long time ago, that we truly “are what we eat.” Well here we are decades later and it is quite evident what our population has been eating. Specifically, junk and crap foods that have helped to lead our people to have:

  • Nearly 1 in 3 adults (30.7%) are overweight.
  • More than 1 in 3 men (34.1%) and more than 1 in 4 women (27.5%) are overweight.
  • More than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity (including severe obesity).
  • About 1 in 11 adults (9.2%) have severe obesity.
  • Nearly 40% of all adults over the age of 20 in the U.S. – about 93.3 million people – are currently obese.
  • Every state in the U.S. has more than 20% of adults with obesity.
  • The U.S. adult obesity rate stands at 42.4 percent, the first time the national rate has passed the 40 percent mark.
    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

And let’s also note the other issues of:

Maybe now is the right time to re-evaluate what we are putting into our bodies, and more importantly what kids are eating today will determine what type of health they will have later as adults. Plant good seeds, not weeds.

Be well, Get healthy, Be wise.

_________________

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119