Obesity and America

Link to story that this post is inspired by: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/14/health/weight-loss-sheltons/index.html?hpt=he_t2

      Our cells are always replacing themselves and they do this by using the energy we get from food. This is why the cliche you are what you eat is so very true. So why do so many people just not seem to care what they are putting into their bodies? The rest of the world sees as the overeaters. Recently I know that we have reached the point where there are more obese people in the world than people starving. This is frankly mind boggling to me. The CDC says that 35.7% of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity puts a huge strain on our medical system. Medical costs for those that are obese are about $1,500 dollars more than those of normal weight. This equates to $147 billion spent on medical problems associated with being obese. Obesity affects some certain groups more than others, mainly low socioeconomics. You can see why from my last blog post. In North Carolina the prevalence of obesity is about 25%-29%. So what is the answer to obesity?
     One incredible success story was posted on CNN. A couple lost a combined 538 pounds in 19 months. Plagued by daily road blocks and medical scares the couple finally decided that they needed to do something about their weight problem. They went to see a physician to learn what foods they could and could not eat. He gave them a plan on how to begin losing weight. The before and after pictures of this couple are absolutely amazing. I think that their preserving should be an inspiration for all Americans that are overweight. They cam see that it is possible to overcome their weight problem.
     The couple used a multitude of tools in order to achieve their success. They used apps on their phones in order to track their progress. They said this was able to encourage them to keep working hard to lose the weight. Of course the couple join a gym and frequented it 5-6 days a week. On off days they would find a fun way to work out such as hiking of swimming.
    I think all of America needs to learn from there story. People need to be able to take control of their lives in order to improve their standard of living. If citizens themselves reduced the obesity rate a great stress will be lifted off the medical industry. What do you think of this story? Does it inspire you to keep better track of your daily intake and exercise? Do you think that obesity is a medical care problem or one that should be taken care of by the patients themselves?