Obesity statistics and epidemic is on the rise with no end in sight. Some suggestions for those who want to shed the weight, and get healthy.

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The Shocking Truth About Obesity

One in every three Americans is obese, equating to 72 million people in the U.S. alone.   Children are right behind adults boasting astonishing numbers -- one in three kids are overweight or obese, a sixty-percent increase in the past 20 years, and that isn't the worst of it -- these numbers are expected to increase in the next 20 years.   We definitely have a serious epidemic and obesity is becoming known as the plague of the 21^st century.

What is going on with obesity?   It has just recently, in the past few years, been labeled an epidemic.

What is shocking is that even though people are dying from this sometimes self-inflicted threat, fast food sales are up, as well as soda, milk and cheese, sugar items, meat and the portions just keep getting bigger and bigger.  

In the year 2000 fast food sales hit 107 billion, in 2010 -- nearly 165 billion. These numbers occur in the U.S. alone.  

And just to add injury to insult - candy bars are increasing in size, as well as sugary sweets, movie popcorn, and portions at restaurants and diners.   The supersize trend is catching on, all in an effort to cash in on the American desire for more, more, and more. But at what cost?

The medical costs are rising as well -- to the tune of $147 billion dollars in 2009, and expected to hit $344 billion per year within the next 10 years. These numbers are not only outrageous; they are dangerous.

Medical-industry experts say that not only does obesity create more medical costs for the medical industry in the U.S., but individually as well.   People who are obese are spending triple than the average-weight person, in medical expenses.   And the risks related to this epidemic include higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer.

Yes, the risks are high, but so are the psychological effects.   People who are overweight are less likely to find love or land a job and are commonly ridiculed and shunned from groups and friendships, which is causing a whole other host of emotional problems, on top of the medical problems.  

What can we do, you ask?   If you are obese or most likely know someone who is, here are some solutions that can help.

Boycott fast food:

Most people are aware of the dangers of fast food on health, weight and the environment.   Anyone who isn't educated in the horrors of fast food on obesity, as well as many other health risks, should pick up a copy of Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, or The Fast Food Craze, by Tina Volpe -- and learn a thing or two about this industry, it's advertising tactics, and its contribution to the obesity epidemic as well as its blatant lack of concern for human wellbeing.

Skip the soda:

Soda pop is one of the biggest culprits of the obesity crisis.   It is estimated that Americans get about 9 to 13 percent of their daily calories from soda.   A single can a day can add a pound a month of weight.   For each drink that is consumed, the risk of obesity increases by 1.6 times.

Most American kids drink soda every day and one health study said that each soda that a child drinks adds an increase to their BMI (body-mass index) by .24 kg, and puts them at greater risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, along with tooth decay.

The average American drinks an astonishing 50 gallons of sugary drinks per year and the soda companies are raking in the cash.

Cut the meat consumption:

Eating meat is linked to obesity, due to the high content of fat contained in each burger, steak, chicken breast and even ground turkey.   Meat eaters have three times the obesity problems than do vegetarians, and nine times the obesity rate of vegans (strict vegetarians.)

Oprah Winfrey went vegan for 21 days -- and loved the cleansing and invigorating experience.   Her praise of the plant-based diet can be found on her website: Oprah.com.

Cutting out meat from your diet will not only help you lose the unwanted fat, it also helps fight and prevent some pretty debilitating diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and more.  

According to Dr. T. Colin Campbell of Cornell University, "Quite simply, the more you substitute plant foods for animal foods, the healthier you are likely to be. I now consider veganism to be the ideal diet.   A vegan diet--particularly one that is low in fat--will substantially reduce disease risks."

So here is a start to getting on the right track.   Of course, at least 30 minutes a day of strenuous exercise will speed up the process, and it's good for your emotional health as well as your heart and weight, and nothing can be more important than your health.   Without it -- life becomes a struggle instead of a joyful experience.  

Authors Bio:
Tina Volpe is the author of The Fast Food Craze, Wreaking Havoc on Our Bodies and Our Animals, Canyon Publishing LLC, 2004; and co-author (with Judy Carman) The Missing Peace, The Hidden Power of Our Kinship With Animals (a Silver winner in the Nautilus Book Awards, 2010)- Dreamriver Press, 2009. Volpe is presently at work on a new book with bestselling co-author Jeffrey M. Masson about the healing properties of a plant-based diet.

Volpe is a health researcher, 35-year vegetarian, speaker, television and radio guest appearing all over the country, and hosts the "Wake UP America' radio show on Global Talk Radio. She is a published columnist and is on staff with Good Karma Magazine and is affiliated with PCRM as a "Heart Health" speaker, and S.P.E.A.K., as a "Humane Educator".

Presently, Volpe is pursuing a B.A. in English/Creative writing in an effort to advance her work for the animals who suffer by the billions annually.

Volpe lives on a ranch in Oregon where rescued farm animals' call home. Her life is dedicated to making the horrific lives of animals raised for food - better -- and advocating for a more compassionate world through diet and the written and spoken word.