Fast food hasn’t just invaded our diets and expanded our waistlines; it has permeated our urban landscape and culture. On one hand, the prevalence of chains can be comforting—no matter where you go, chances are good that a Starbucks Skinny Caramel Macchiato is within reach. On the other hand, it’s a sign of the growing dominance of chains and waning appeal of independent restaurants. According tp NPD Group, there are 15,000 more chain restaurants now than there were five years ago—a 5 percent increase. During the same time period, there was nearly a 1 percent decline in the number of independent restaurants.

1, Orlando, FL

Total fast food restaurants: 463
Fast food restaurants per 100,000 residents:196.3
Most prominent chain: Subway

The causes of obesity are almost always the same:

• Overconsumption and other improper eating habits;
• Eating foods that offer no nutrition;
• Failing to remain physically active;

All other factors for obesity and being overweight really are negligible when compared to the core causes of obesity listed above. Along with the outrageous obesity statistics, the levels of obesity diseases are also at all time highs.

Obesity diseases account for almost every known disease including:

• Diabetes;
• Coronary heart disease;
• Myocardial infarctions;
• Strokes;
• Kidney failure;
• Liver disease;
• Cancer;
• Arthritis;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Hypertension;
• And so many more…

Here are some of the shocking obesity statistics that we must begin to reverse through proper eating habits, healthy food intake choices and daily physical exercise:

• Over 58 million Americans are overweight;
• Over 40 million Americans are obese;
• Over 3 million Americans are morbidly obese;
• More than 80% of Americans do not engage in adequate physical activity;
• More than one quarter of all Americans are considered to be “completely sedentary”;
• In adults between 30 and 40 years old, there has been greater than 78% increase in Type II diabetes cases since 1990;

More obesity statistics to consider:

• More than 85 percent of all diabetes cases are due to obesity and being overweight;
• More than 70% of all heart-related disease is heavily correlated with being overweight and/or obese;
• Almost 45% of all breast and colon cancer cases are heavily related to obesity and/or being overweight;
• More than 30% of all gall bladder operations are caused by obesity and/or being overweight;
• More than one quarter of all obese people have hypertension (high blood pressure);

Childhood obesity statistics:

• Only 4 percent of children were considered obese in 1982. Now, more than 30% are.
• More than one quarter of all obese children are showing symptoms of the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Of those children developing Type II diabetes, more than 60 percent of them are also showing one or more signs of cardiovascular disease;
• Our children are taught how and what to eat by us – their parents and advisors;

These obesity statistics are developed by professional health organizations and research universities. They are not to be taken lightly. These are epidemic numbers. Our children are dying. We are dying. Almost all of these health issues and diseases can be effectively reversed through the initiation of permanent lifestyle changes concerning what we eat, how much we eat, the manners in which we eat, the reasons we eat and our exercise levels. Obesity help is readily available from a number of professional sources. There is no great mystery involved. Protect your health and the health of your family starting today.

Steven R Arnold is editor of http://fatsense.com

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