The prevalence of obesity has increased among adults and children in the U.S. since the 1970s. During this period, Americans have increased consumption of calories from larger portion sizes of foods and beverages, primarily eaten in fast food restaurants and at home. Concurrently, manufacturers increased their use of high-fructose corn syrup to sweeten processed foods and beverages. Obese people are at risk of medical complications.
Statistics
Obesity is a huge public health problem in America. Research by Katherine Flegal, published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2010, reports that 68 percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity is 33.8 percent for all adults -- 32.2 percent of men and 35.5 percent of women. Today's obesity prevalence represents more than 133 percent growth, from 14.5 percent prevalence in 1971. Research by Gopal Singh, published in "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" in 2010, shows that 48 percent of children in the United States are overweight or obese, with 16.4 percent of those classified as obese.
Increased Calories From Bigger Portion Sizes
Americans consume bigger portion sizes and more calories at home and at fast food restaurants than they did more than 30 years ago, according to research published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2003. Research published in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine" in 2004 also finds that since 1977, Americans ages 2 years and older have increased daily consumption of sweetened beverages, nearly tripling calorie consumption from such drinks. Today, Americans drink more sweetened beverages and less milk.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Obesity in America may be associated with increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, first introduced in the 1970s and accounting for more than 42 percent of all caloric sweeteners by 2004. Research by Miriam Bocarsly, published in "Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior" in 2010, discovered that rats consuming HFCS at half the concentration of commercial soft drinks experienced 48 percent more weight gain, more abdominal fat cells and higher levels of blood fat than rats consuming table sugar at the same concentration in commercial soft drinks, even when consuming the same amount of total calories, but fewer calories from HFCS. Rats consuming HFCS all become obese, yet rats consuming sugar or a high-fat diet did not all gain extra weight. Researchers believe the reason for obesity in humans is that the fructose molecules in HFCS are free and readily absorbed into your body, whereas fructose in table sugar is bound to glucose and must be digested before it is freely available for absorption.
Health Complications
Obesity increases your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. Reduce your risk of obesity and complications by not eating foods high in calories or containing sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Consult your doctor about your condition and a weight loss diet.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; "Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among U.S. Adults: 1999 to 2008"; K.M. Flegal; Jan. 20, 2010
- PubMed: Changes in State-Specific Childhood Obesity and Overweight Prevalence in the United States from 2003 to 2007
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; "Patterns and Trends in Food Portion Sizes, 1977-1998"; S.J. Nielsen; Jan. 22-29 2003
- Princeton University: Princeton Researchers Find That High-Fructose Corn Syrup Prompts Considerably More Weight Gain
- PubMed: High-Fructose Corn Syrup Causes Characteristics of Obesity in Rats--Increased Body Weight, Body Fat and Triglyceride Levels
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