When most people think of epidemics, they think of influenza or perhaps of even the Black Plague that killed hundreds of thousands of people in the 14th century.
However, the epidemic facing some nations in the world, especially the United States, is the obesity epidemic. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as having a body mass index of 30 or above.
According to this organization, obesity has become a problem over the past 20 years. Over 60 million adults and nine milllion children are obese. Being obese can lead to a number of problems, yet people are more focused on children getting a hold of drugs and alcohol, or they worry about getting cancer due to genetics.
It is time to wake up and see that obesity is a national crisis that should not, and can not, be ignored. Not only is it physically damaging to someone's body, but it can affect a person's self esteem.
The best way to fight this epidemic is to be knowledgable and know the risks (including certains cancers, heart disease and developement of Type II Diabetes) that are involved when reaching for the last drumstick or having fast food for lunch and dinner.
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