In a recent study released by the National Center for Health Statistics, more American adults are more obese now than at any other time in U.S. history. This study revealed that almost 40% of adults and 18.5% of children in the United States are obese. The rates in children are more stable than the alarming rise in the numbers of obese adults.
The highest obesity rates were seen among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks whose obesity rates are at 47% and 46.8% respectively. Asian adults had the lowest rates of obesity at 12.7% and non-Hispanic white adults were at 37.9%.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), lists risk factors for obesity as: “ unhealthy lifestyle habits, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating behaviors, not enough sleep, high amounts of stress, age, unhealthy environments, family history, and genetics.” The NIH suggests that screening for risk factors and intervention before one becomes obese is the best approach. However, for those already battling extreme weight gain, there are weapons available such as adopting healthy lifestyle changes, behavioral weight loss programs, medicines, and surgical procedures.
Primary medical care centers and urgent care clinics have highly trained health professionals and resources to assist obese adults in losing weight and living healthier lives. A visit to a primary medical care center or urgent care clinic can make the difference between life and death for an obese person who is at risk for some life-threatening complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists some of the health effects of obesity as “high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea.” A diagnosis can be easily made at a primary medical care center or urgent care clinic where the first steps to a healthy lifestyle can begin.