The Future Looks Heavy

People enjoy predictions of a lavish future—the job of their dreams, the family they always wished for or a fancy-shmancy home. But an overweight future is not exactly the prophecy anyone is looking for.

Like it or not, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this week that by the year 2030 almost every American will be overweight or obese. The numbers show about 86% of Americans would be tipping the scales. As if that is not scary enough, it is predicted by 2048 all American adults will be slipping into their chubby pants.

Lets not forget those oversized knickers are pricey. Experts estimate the extra weight could cost an additional $860 billion to $956 billion per year in healthcare to treat the diseases. That means for every six dollars of health costs, one dollar would go to treating people who are overweight or obese.

Many health professionals are giving the prediction a thumbs down, arguing that while weight gain is an obvious problem, they don’t foresee all adult Americans being overweight by 2048. They do, however, admit the statistic of 86% being heavy by 2030 is a very realistic one. Other experts say the foresight may be right on the money. After all, the typical American eats 50 pounds more meat and 20 pounds more cheese per year, as opposed to our 1960s counterparts. 

But regardless of the final verdict, the need to make a change is evident—no crystal ball or palm reading required. What do you think we need to do in order to get healthy and lose weight?  [ABC News]