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Home » How to lose weight safely » Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?

GWEN IFILL: Public health experts have long warned of a growing obesity epidemic in America.

This week, government officials and others have launched a major campaign, warning those long-feared consequences are at hand. In a 474-page report, the Institute of Medicine called for systemic policy changes, from overhauling farm policies and the way food is marketed, to building more walkable neighborhoods, to ensuring children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

Our Health Unit has an in-depth look tonight, beginning with a Ray Suarez report on the rising toll.

RAY SUAREZ: Americans are fat and continue to get fatter. Today, two out of three adults in this country are overweight or obese.

ROSS HAMMOND, Brookings Institution: In 1960, the average height for a man was 5'8'', and the average weight was 165 pounds. Today, the average height for a man has gone up one inch to 5'9'',and the average weight has gone up 25 pounds to 190 pounds.

RAY SUAREZ: One of the most striking things about this change is that most people are aware of it, understand what causes it, yet nothing seems to stop it.

MRC GREENWOOD, president, University of Hawaii System: In spite of the fact that people get lots of information, it hasn't changed their behavior in the ways that we have been trying to change it. So I guess it tells you that more information doesn't necessarily mean better behavior.

RAY SUAREZ: New research from universities, think tanks and the federal government has tried to put a dollar cost on tens of millions of pounds of excess weight, in getting heavier and heavier passengers from place to place on public transportation and burning millions of excess gallons of gasoline in private cars, and jet fuel in the air, in lost productivity and increased absenteeism at work, and the tremendous impact obesity has on medical costs year after year.

The annual price tag for all of it? One estimate puts it at $190 billion a year.

TEVI TROY, Hudson Institute: The numbers are just enormous. And given our long-term budget situation, I think it's important to address this issue as soon as possible.

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Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?

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Home » How to lose weight safely » Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?