The U.S. is in the midst of a health crisis brought on primarily by unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyles. Over one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of adults within the country are obese and diseases brought on by unhealthy weights raked in $147 billion in medical costs. Many preventable deaths stem from obesity. In fact, of the top ten leading causes of death, three – heart disease (1st), Stroke (5th), and Diabetes (7th) – are largely preventable simply by maintaining a healthy weight.
They key to reversing this trend is a methodical and concerted effort to encourage individuals, especially youth, to consume food with more nutrition and to get the recommended amount of physical activity each week.