Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Health Issues Among Young Adults in the U.S.

We've heard our lolas, lolos and parents say it before: "You're still young," they encourage, as you hover over the food at a relative's party and contemplate whether or not to have a second helping of lechon kawali. Basically, they urge you to pile up your plate with as much food as you can. You might want to think twice, especially young adults ages 18-29.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says about 24 percent of young adults are obese and 28 percent are considered overweight, according to their recent 2005-2006 report. And, with only 36 percent of this group getting regular exercise, that number is not going down anytime soon. Since heart disease is the no. 1 killer in our community, it's worth noting this information as obesity is a big risk factor. Maybe it's time to start looking at our children's eating habits when they're still really young, so they won't become a CDC statistic.

The report cited other findings among the nation's young adults. It also painted a picture of the nation's health as a whole. If you want the lowdown on their findings, visit the CDC's website.

1 comment:

mens healths upplements said...

Great observation.. Seems like misnomers about correct portion size and portion control come from childhood, when you're encouraged to eat because you're a "growing boy"...:P