Obesity, diabetes epidemics continue to grow in California
Greater than 50% of the adults in California are obese or overweight. More than 25% of California adolescents — some 970,000 children — are obese or overweight.
A majority of adults in California are obese or overweight, and more than 2 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to a new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Both conditions — which are related to each other as well as to heart disease — increased significantly in just six years, with the prevalence of diabetes alone jumping nearly 26 percent between 2001 and 2007.
The “epidemic” of obesity and diabetes leaves no racial, ethnic, economic or geographic segment of the state unscathed, according to the researchers. [See maps of obesity and diabetes prevalence in California.]
Although American Indians, African Americans and Latinos are particularly affected by both obesity and diabetes, these conditions increased among all racial and ethnic groups between 2001 and 2007. Similarly, while both conditions disproportionately affect the poorest Californians, there were upward trends in prevalence among all income groups during the same time period.
California’s youth are also affected: More than a quarter of California adolescents — some 970,000 children — are obese or overweight.
Forum on Childhood Obesity
Congressman Mike Thompson co-hosts a community forum on the causes, effects and possible solutions for the nationwide epidemic of Childhood Obesity. The Forum takes place August 12th from 9:00am to 11:30am in the Main Conference Rooms at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, CA. Joining Congressman Thompson will be a number of physicians, educators and other national and regional experts on childhood obesity - along with Napa area residents who will share inspiring, personal experiences and successes in overcoming this developing health crisis.
If you are unable to attend the event this Thursday morning, there is a second forum being held Friday evening on the topic of obesity and its causes - “Sugar: The Bitter Truth”. Find out what is really behind our National Obesity Epidemic. Queen of the Valley Wellness Center hosts a panel of experts as UCSF researcher Dr. Robert Lustig exposes what’s really behind our nation’s obesity epidemic. Find out what is hidden in almost every type of processed food being sold. Friday August 13th at 5:30pm.
It will take all of us, each doing a little part, to help stem this epidemic. For more information, contact Susan Carrington, Queen of the Valley Medical Center at 707-251-2015 or click here for more information.
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It appears the Friday event has reached maximum capacity. Additional information follows:
Sugar: The Bitter Truth
What’s Really Behind our National Obesity Epidemic?
On average, men and women weigh 25 lbs more than they did 30 years ago and children are heavier and less fit than ever before. Join Queen of the Valley Wellness Center and a panel of experts as UCSF researcher Dr. Robert Lustig exposes what’s really behind our nation’s obesity epidemic that’s hidden in almost every type of processed food we buy. Dr. Lustig is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at UCSF in the Division of Endocrinology. He is Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health Program. Anyone concerned about their own health and the health of their children should attend “Sugar: The Bitter Truth.”
WHERE: Westin Hotel, 1314 Mckinstry Street St, Napa, CA 94559
WHEN: August 13, 2010
PROGRAM:
5:30-6:15 pm – Presentation: “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” – Robert H. Lustig, MD
6:15-6:45 pm – Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Marko Bodor, MD
Cheryl Forberg, RD, Nutritionist, “Biggest Loser” TV show
Mel Mari, Educator/Healthy Eating Specialist, Whole Foods
Amy Myrdal-Miller, RD, MS, Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, Culinary Institute of America
Scott Warner, Executive Chef, Bistro Don Giovanni
To register for “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” call 1-877-QUEEN LINE (1-877-783-3654)
Obesity Rates Keep Rising, Troubling Health Officials
Americans are continuing to get fatter and fatter, with obesity rates reaching 30 percent or more in nine states last year, as opposed to only three states in 2007, health officials reported on Tuesday.
The increases mean that 2.4 million more people became obese from 2007 to 2009, bringing the total to 72.5 million, or 26.7 percent of the population. The numbers are part of a continuing and ominous trend.
“Over the past several decades, obesity has increased faster than anyone could have imagined it would,” said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issued a report on the prevalence of obesity. Obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in children in recent decades, Dr. Frieden said.
If the numbers keep going up, he added, “more people will get sick and die from the complications of obesity, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.”
