Spotlight on Healthy Eating Has Never Been More Important in the US
Updated: May 15
Healthy living has never been more on-trend. In 2024, good living means living well and there’s no shortage of advice and guidance on how to do so.
But it’s also never been easier to live unhealthily. For many, the 21st century is defined by excess and abandon. The impact on our health is starting to show.
It’s become a cliché, but there’s no getting away from the fact that modern America is super-sized in every way.
Over 38% of people in Florida are currently living with obesity. Recent studies show that more than 40% of Americans are obese. By 2030, half the country will be obese, according to some predictions.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise. Americans’ portion sizes have increased 20% in the last 30 years. Our relationship with food has never been more confusing. And car travel has never been more necessary.
It should also come as no surprise that the obesity epidemic has brought with it a rise in diabetes.
How obesity and diabetes are linked
The accumulation of an excessive amount of body fat can lead to type 2 diabetes. There is a linear relationship between an increase in body mass index (BMI) and an increased risk of developing the disease.
This is partly because being overweight or obese can lead to insulin resistance, meaning the body’s insulin is not effectively reducing its internal sugar levels.
Some experts now suggest half of all cases of type 2 diabetes are caused by obesity.
Fighting back with diet
The seemingly unstoppable rise of the obesity epidemic, and the diabetes epidemic following in its wake, might suggest pushing it back is an impossible task.
While diabetes is a serious condition, the truth is you can significantly reduce the chance of developing it, and fight back even if you have already developed it, by making some relatively small changes in your life.
The best obesity prevention strategies start with healthy diets. That means avoiding sweets and carbs and getting plenty of healthy whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Make sure you are in control of what you eat. That means planning out healthy shopping strategies, being aware of the marketing ploys companies use to tempt you with unhealthy snacks, and managing your portion sizes.
Eating well should be the first step in any attempt to live better. A healthy diet helps the body function as intended, whether that’s allowing it to properly regulate blood sugar levels, or even just helping you get a healthy amount of sleep.
Take control with exercise
With your diet under control, focus on developing a sustainable exercise routine. Exercise should not be a punishment. It should be something that makes you feel great, and that you can look forward to.
Jogging and yoga have consistently been found to be the most effective activities for preventing obesity.
When you jog your whole body is active. Your arms swing, your waist twists, and your shoulders and abdomen support your frame as your legs drive you forward.
Yoga, meanwhile, might seem like a more relaxed activity. But in fact, it requires you to engage muscles all over your body to hold poses correctly, especially muscles around your hips and pelvis.
Get the best possible support
These lifestyle changes could transform your life. But living with diabetes, and maybe even pushing it into remission, is no easy task.
Alongside a commitment to healthy eating and activity, scientifically-backed diabetes weight loss programs can help you understand what the condition means for you personally.
The support of a team of expert healthcare professionals can guide you through the changes your transition to a healthier lifestyle brings, and ensure your medication remains appropriate as your body adapts.
America’s problem with obesity is not inevitable. It’s well within our power to turn the tide and make healthy living the new normal across the nation.