Transcript U.S. Obesity

U.S. Obesity
Jackie Pendleton
English 2010
Professor Lara Asplund
Statistics of Obesity Among Adults
This graph is referring to BMI or Body Mass Index. For adults, obesity and overweight ranges
are determined by the weight and height of an individual to calculate this number. BMI is used
because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat. An adult who has a BMI
between 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. 30 or higher is considered obese.
Body Mass Index
(BMI)
There are many ways to test an
individuals BMI, and some ways are
more accurate than others. Some of
the BMI testing options are:
•measurement of skin fold
thickness/waist circumference
•calculation of waist to hip
circumference ratios
•ultrasound techniques, computed
tomography, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI)
This information is important to all
because it is there to follow as a
guideline, and to help people
understand what is best for their
body type.
Height
Weight Range
BMI
Considered
5' 9"
124 lbs or less
Below 18.5
Underweight
125 lbs to 168 lbs
18.5 to 24.9
Healthy weight
169 lbs to 202 lbs
25.0 to 29.9
Overweight
203 lbs or more
30 or higher
Obese
Exercise: Just Do It!
•
It is important to get plenty of exercise during the week. Less than half
(48%) of all adults meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines which are
listed below:
•
2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic
activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and muscle-strengthening
activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups
(legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
•
1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous intensity aerobic
activity (i.e., jogging or running) every week and muscle-strengthening
activates on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups
(legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
•
An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic
activity and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that
work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen,
chest, shoulders, and arms)
Eating Right
•
The vegetables you eat may be fresh, frozen, canned or dried and may be eaten whole, cut-up,
or mashed. You should eat a variety of dark green, red and orange vegetables, as well as
beans and peas (which are also considered part of the protein group). Examples include
broccoli, carrots, collard greens, split peas, green beans, black-eyed peas, kale, lima beans,
potatoes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and kidney beans. Any vegetable or 100%
vegetable juice counts in this group.
•
The fruits you eat may be fresh, canned, frozen or dried and may be eaten whole, cut-up, or
pureed. Examples include apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, grapefruit,
mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, raisins, strawberries, tangerines, and 100% fruit juice.
•
There are two types of grains – whole grains and refined grains. At least half of the grains you
eat should be whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, whole-grain cereals and crackers,
oatmeal, bulgur, and brown rice. Refined grains include white bread, white rice, enriched pasta,
flour tortillas, and most noodles.
•
Most of your choices should be fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, but all milks and
calcium-containing milk products count in this category. Examples include milk, cheeses, and
yogurt as well as lactose-free and lactose-reduced products and soy beverages. Foods that are
made from milk but have little or no calcium are not included, such as butter, cream, sour cream,
and cream cheese.
•
Choose a variety of lean meats and poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy
products, unsalted nuts, and seeds. Make sure to eat at least 8 ounces of seafood each week.
Why It`s Important
•
This information is important to everyone
because it is there to follow as a guideline, and
to help people understand what is best for their
body type, and how to eat and exercise in order
to stay healthy.
•
There are many resources and helpful tips out
there to get onto the right track of being a
healthy and happy individual.
Works Cited
"Health Guide." Morbid Obesity. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
<http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/morbidobesity/overview.html>.
"Overweight and Obesity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 May 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html>.