Millions of Americans are impacted by obesity, and the impact is only rising. Americans Diets consist of large amounts of ultra processed foods and drinks high in sugar in combination with a sedentary lifestyle the results is an epidemic of obesity with over half the population either overweight or obese. This is not an individual problem but impacts everyone. We will look closely at the rising health care impact, individual's lifestyle burdens and our countries security and mental state. 

What is Obesity 

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In 2019, an estimated 5 million noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths were caused by higher-than-optimal BMI.

(World Health Organization: WHO, 2020a)

 

What Causes Obesity 

In the United States, most people's diets are too high in calories — often from fast food and high-calorie beverages. People with obesity might eat more calories before feeling full, feel hungry sooner, or eat more due to stress or anxiety Many people now have jobs that are much less physically demanding, so they don't tend to burn as many calories at work. Obesity is multifaceted, but one thing we do know is that calories consumed must be less or equal to calories burned.

(World Health Organization: WHO, 2020a)

Prevalence of Obesity

o South Dakota 38%
o Nationwide median 34%
Overall, the percent of South Dakotans who are obese has been increasing since 2011 including
a 15 percent increase from 2020 to 2021. In 2021, the obese percent is the highest it has ever
been with 38 percent. The nationwide median for obese is 34 percent while South Dakota exceeds
that with 38 percent.

(South Dakota Department of Health, 2021)