Being of Average Health in America Does Not Get A Passing Grade

Statistics mentioned 

  • 64% of Americans are overweight or obese
  • Estimated that 86% of Americans will be overweight or obese by 2030
  • 1/3 Children are currently overweight or obese
  • 1/4 of teens have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
  • 10% of kids today have fatty liver disease
  • Life expectancy has gone down 3 straight years.

Being Of Average Health In America Does Not Get A Passing Grade

     C’s get degrees.  Doing average work in school is typically good enough to complete the homework and assignments, pass the tests, and get the diploma.  C’s are generally good enough to get by.  Heck, I made it through years of schooling, not necessarily shooting for C’s (B’s were nice), but knowing that a C- was a lot better than a D+.  One grade was passing, the other not.  One might think that being average when it comes to our health is also sufficient and deserving of a passing grade.  But, when it comes to health and well-being we are failing miserably in America.  Being of average health most likely means you have an ailment, are overweight, are sick, and are nowhere close to your best self.  Having the mindset of doing enough to get by, like a C student would in school, does not appear to be working in the class that everyone is currently enrolled in-the class of Health and Wellbeing. 

     You have probably heard in the COVID-19 news how only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy.  The parameters for metabolic health are waist circumference, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and HDL levels.  12% of Americans have normal to healthy markers in at least 4 out of the 5 parameters.  Meaning 88 out of every 100 Americans don’t meet this criteria.  Speaking to the parameter of waist circumference, Mark Sisson, in his book, Primal Blueprint states how 64% of Americans are classified as overweight or obese. In 9 years Sisson predicts that number will be closer to 86% and in 209 years, by the year 2230, everyone will be overweight or obese!  

     Taking a glance at our youth, 1 in 3 children are currently overweight or obese according to Doctor Mark Hyman in his 2020 book, Food Fix.  Hyman also mentions how a quarter of teens have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and 10% of kids have fatty liver disease which was unheard of 20 years ago.  The sad fact is that overweight kids are much more likely to be overweight adults which in turn leads to health problems and life threatening diseases.  Probably the most downhearted statistic is that life expectancy has gone down for 3 years in a row and children born today will live 5 fewer years than their parents, Hyman states.  Physician, psychiatrist, and brain expert, Daniel Amen calls the phenomena of having high blood sugar and being overweight or obese, diabesity.  Amen goes on to say how “diabesity is destroying brains, minds, and bodies, and it’s robbing our children and grandchildren of their future” in his book, The End of Mental Illness. 

     These statistics are alarming and hard to digest.  Americans’ health and well being have been trending in the wrong direction for a long time and the average American keeps getting sicker and sicker.  Maybe it’s time to pause and question why we are so sick? 

     My hope, with MAShealth, is to be part of moving the needle in the opposite direction of the statistics mentioned above.  People, especially our future generations deserve better.  I believe it starts with educating and empowering individuals on how they can live healthier lives.  I understand I am far from having all the answers, but I strive to continue to learn and provide valuable information that will help others in the domain of health and wellness.  Hopefully you’ll come to find out that the class we are all enrolled in, that of Health and Wellness, isn’t as daunting knowing you have the teacher’s (mashealth) support, understanding, empathy, and encouragement to live a life of health and well being. 

     To más health, Michael 


Sources Cited:
  • Food Fix by Dr. Mark Hyman
  • The End of Mental Illness by Dr. Daniel G. Amen
  • Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson

 

One Comment Add yours

  1. Tony says:

    Fantastic post! Looking forward to learning more.

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