Americans are getting fatter and fatter.
The Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found adult obesity rates rose in 23 of the 50 states, but fell in none.
In addition, the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30% in 30 states.
The report warns widespread obesity is fueling rates of chronic disease, and is responsible for a large, and growing chunk of domestic health care costs. (Link)
In addition, the percentage of obese and overweight children is at or above 30% in 30 states.
The report warns widespread obesity is fueling rates of chronic disease, and is responsible for a large, and growing chunk of domestic health care costs. (Link)
Interestingly, this news comes on the heels of the publication of a new study suggesting that obesity stems from a variation in a gene controlling the central nervous system. And, not unexpectedly, the gene is related to addiction tendencies.
After analyzing more than two million regions of the human genome, the researchers found that the NRXN3 gene variant ─ previously associated with alcohol dependence, cocaine addiction, and illegal substance abuse ─ also predicts the tendency to become obese. Altogether, researchers found the gene variant in 20 percent of the people studied. (Link)
Identifying the gene variant early could allow for early treatment and prevention methods. But in the meantime, the Onion has a solution:
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