We are What we EAT!

We are what we eat is a familiar saying here in the South. From our shrimp and grits to waffles and chicken, what we eat significantly impacts who we are!  Over the decades, the concern for overeating has reached crescendo levels. With increased waistlines, we see potential complications affecting every body system. Joint problems and digestive issues include liver disease, respiratory and cardiovascular such as stroke, heart attack, and diabetes, and an elevated risk of cancers such as breast, colon, and endometrial. Lack of exercise, obesity, and unhealthiness concern our country and community, requiring us to look hard at what we offer ourselves and our citizens. Health and wellness can be elusive entities requiring much work, determination, and accessibility to fitness activities. We as a community have a bit of work to do to attain better, more optimal health, but having access to a recreational center would be a step in the right direction.

Italy Street Cafe!

What is the state of our nation & Tennessee? What is considered overweight or obese? Many online tools help you determine these numbers, but a body mass index of 18.5-24.9 is a normal weight for ages 20 and older, 25-29.9 are considered overweight, and for those over 30, BMI is obese. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found some disturbing statistics related to the state of obesity in the United States. Two out of three adults were overweight or obese, and one in thirteen were extremely obese, with children and adolescents demonstrating one out of six considered obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), all population demographics must strive to meet our weight and physical activity requirements. Twenty-one percent of adults meet the physical activity guidelines, with only 30% of high schoolers getting minimally an hour of physical activity each day (CDC, 2014).   If you narrow the scope to only Tennessee, the numbers look less optimistic. Tennesseans, eighteen and older, 33% are considered obese, with the state having the unenviable title of the ninth highest adult obesity rate in the country. Amongst adolescents, 35% are classified as either obese or overweight, with the sad forecast of today’s children having a shorter life expectancy than their parents.  If you want a good read, Google the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nutrition, Physical Activity, and obesity: Data, trends, and Maps (I’ve provided the link below), then click on Tennessee where it gives you the data for the various age classifications for the state.