America’s Expanding Waistline: Why Obesity is Rampant [Video]

Obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States, with rates continuing to climb each year. Nearly 40% of American adults are now considered obese, putting them at higher risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This public health crisis demands urgent action to reverse course and improve our nation’s health.

Carrying excessive body weight puts you at higher risk for:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease and stroke
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea and respiratory conditions
• Certain cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, liver)
• Mental illness such as clinical depression

The dangers intensify the more obese someone becomes. Morbid obesity (BMI over 40) takes an enormous toll, shortening lifespan by up to 14 years. This matches the impact of long-term smoking.

New medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) can aid with weight loss for some obese patients but do not fully eliminate the health risks. Beyond physical health risks, obesity carries significant psychological …