America's health is in critical condition.
National media reports regularly talk about the fact that Americans' lifestyle is so good compared to nations around the world, that we don't take care of ourselves and have declining health and obesity in both adults and children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 67 percent of all Americans, about 200 million, are overweight or obese. That number has doubled since 1980. Currently, about one-third of American children are either obese or at risk of becoming obese.
The bottom line is Americans don't take care of themselves. That can be remedied by following a few simple rules, according to some Enid medical professionals.
Dr. Gary Badzinski, an Enid cardiologist at Integris Bass Baptist Health Regional Health Center, said there are three simple rules -- maintain a low-fat diet, moderate exercise and stop smoking.
"When I was in training, I hoped that there would be a decline in heart disease. I have found that there is a higher survival rate of acute events, but heart disease is still the number one killer," he said.
The biggest culprit is a narrowing of the arteries, which can cause disease. Diet and exercise are important in preventing that narrowing. Badzinski said when someone undergoes bypass surgery, it's usually because of narrowing of the arteries. He is also concerned about childhood obesity.
"When you and I were kids, we were outside all the time, playing baseball or games, and our parents had to practically lasso us to get us to come inside," he said. "It isn't like that today."
Young children do not go outside anymore and that leads to a sedentary life as an adult, he said.
"Heart disease is a lifestyle disease. The cure is changing your lifestyle," he said.
The Honolulu study done just after World War II verified heart disease is a lifestyle ailment. Japanese immigrants in Honolulu were tested for cholesterol and other ailments resulting from lack of activity. The same gene pool was examined through their children and grandchildren and studies found by the third generation their gene pool looked the same as every other American.
Males are more at risk for heart disease than women. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking are high risk factors that can lead to heart disease. In most instances losing weight will decrease medical requirements, he said.
Obesity is described as high body fat, in relation to total body mass index, height vs. weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Oklahoma is in the top 10 obese states.
Oklahoma ranks 7th in most obese states, according to body mass index, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Out of 30 percent BMI, Oklahoma ranked 28.1. Oregon is first with 32 percent. A rating of 31 indicates obese and 32 indicates overweight.
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2007 only one state, Colorado, had a prevalence of obesity less than 20 percent. Thirty states had a prevalence greater than 25 percent; and three of those states had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30 percent.
Economics can also be a contributing factor. Badzinski said people are working harder to make ends meet today. Eating healthy takes more time, buying fresh fruit and vegetables, as opposed to grabbing fast food. People also neglect themselves by putting off health concerns as less important than their daily duties.
"People often tell me by the time they get home at the end of the day, they are too tired to exercise," he said. "People do their job and other duties, ahead of health trying to make a living. It doesn't benefit anyone not to take your health as seriously as it is." To see more of the Enid News & Eagle or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.enidnews.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Enid News & Eagle, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, Enid News & Eagle, Okla.