Louisiana Council On Obesity Prevention And Management

MISSION: To promote an environment that supports opportunities for all Louisiana residents to make healthy food choices and to be physically active in order to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

VISION: We envision a Louisiana where all people will lead a responsible, healthy life that prevents or reduces obesity and related health conditions.

Obesity Tools and Resources From CDC

Obesity Rates Increase for U.S.

USA Obesity Rates Reach Epidemic Proportions

• 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
• Eight out of 10 over 25 years of age are Overweight
• 78% of American's not meeting basic activity level recommendations
• 25% completely Sedentary

• 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 since 1990 Obesity Related Diseases

Cost of Lost Productivity

• Workdays lost: $39.3 Million
• Physician office visits: $62.7 Million
• Restricted Activity days: $29.9 Million

(Reference: http://www.getamericafit.org/statistics-obesity-in-america.html)

2009 State Obesity Rates

Mississippi  has the worst rates at 34.4  % of the population.   See other states at:

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites. (Reference:  www.CDC.gov/obesity).

Obesity Resources:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/weight/consumer.pdf

The Obesity Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting runs October 1 - 5, 2011 in Orlando, Florida and  has grown to be one of the world’s largest gatherings of obesity professionals at all stages of their careers, including leading obesity scientists presenting cutting-edge research. Obesity 2011 is the event of the year for obesity professionals at all stages of their careers. The meeting brings together the leading players in the field of obesity from world-renowned speakers, researchers and clinicians to educators, advocates, policymakers and practitioners. The meeting provides essential educational and networking opportunities and is a forum for increasing knowledge, stimulating research, and promoting better treatment for those affected by this disease.

Obesity Treatment and Prevention Link

California's Focus On Obesity: The Governator's Response!

See Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger's CBS News Interview and his comments regarding the cost of obesity to the State of California, which he notes as being over $50 Billion per year.  Then, just for kicks, see the Governor in his body-building routine: Arnold Schwarzenneger Training.

WebMD: notes "Psychological factors also influence eating habits and obesity.  Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger.  While most overweight people have no more psychological disturbances than people at their normal weight, about 30% of the people who seek treatment for serious weight problems have difficulties with binge eating.  During a binge-eating episode, people eat large amounts of food while feeling they can't control how much they are eating."

More on obesity: 
The Obesity Society
Obesity - Obesity Research