Obesity and Consumer Debt: Do we Live TOO Hand to Mouth?

Although I‘ve never seen any data concerning the relationship of obesity levels and the rate of consumer debt, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together.

In the year 2005, the rate of consumer debt was 950 billion dollars. By 2006 that number had risen to 1 trillion dollars. To put that into perspective, that is $3333.333 per person living in the United States.

The corollary to this is the rate of growth in obesity in the U.S. It is estimated that between 1976 to 1980 obesity levels averaged about 14.5 percent. Between 1988 to 1994, the level had grown to 23 percent. From 1999 to 2004 the estimated level of obesity had reached an average of 30.5 percent. Does this look like a direct reflection of the rate of consumer debt increases?

Here’s a neat little program that illustrates the level of growth over the years: http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/

And this may only be the tip of the iceberg. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) analyzed data from health surveys, which are used to estimate obesity levels in states. Because people tend to provide incorrect information about their weight and height, especially in telephone surveys, the researchers concluded that estimates of obesity in individual states have been too low, by more than 50 percent. Their study, which corrects for misreporting in those surveys, appears in the May 2006 issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Based on this new understanding of the survey data, the authors found that, on average, women tend to underestimate their weight while men do not. When it comes to height, young and middle-aged men tend to overestimate their height more than women in the same age groups. In 2002, the corrected prevalence of obesity in the U.S. population was 28.7 percent for adult men and 34.5 percent for adult women, more than 50 percent higher than previously estimated.

The research, which presents the first-ever corrected estimates of obesity for individual states, found that Southern states have the highest levels of obesity in the country. Using the authors' corrected data for 2000, the highest obesity levels for men were found in Texas (31 percent) and Mississippi (30 percent). For women, Texas (37 percent), Louisiana (37 percent), Mississippi (37 percent), District of Columbia (37 percent), Alabama (37 percent), and South Carolina (36 percent) led the pack. States with the lowest prevalence of corrected obesity for men in 2000 were Colorado (18 percent), District of Columbia (21 percent), and Montana (21 percent); for women, Colorado (24 percent), Montana (25 percent), and Massachusetts (27 percent).

What are we really dealing with here? Is this a lack mentality, where we feel that because of any number of influences (Madison Avenue marketing methods, keeping up with the Jones’, etc) has us believing that we don’t have all that we should? Or is it simply a lack of discipline?

Whatever the reasons, the issue is growing…no pun intended. What, therefore, is the best way to combat it? Epictetus, the ancient wise-guy, said, “Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants.” The Bible puts it this way, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:9) and, “Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.” (Proverbs 15:16)

So does that mean that we aren’t to strive to better ourselves and to seek provision? No. However, I think it means that if what you are seeking is some external “something” to fill the void in your life where you feel empty, whether it is food or some material object, then you will either go broke or explode.

Marketing experts have an understanding about your weaknesses and use it to their advantage each and every day. That weakness is this: Humans are predisposed to purchase (or eat) emotionally and justify it logically.

Please read that again.

Do you really NEED a Mercedes 250 SL, or do you want it? Do you really NEED a second or third home, or do you want it? Please understand, if you have been blessed to make enough to afford these types of things and they won’t place an emotional or financial burden upon you, go for it. On the other hand, if you’re deep in consumer debt, why dig any deeper?

The same applies to health. Do you really NEED second helpings or do you want it? Do you really NEED dessert after your meals, or do you want it? Occasionally is fine, but just because you were poor as a kid (or had older brothers who always got the most food, or …(fill in the blank) doesn’t mean you have to live that way now. You are in control of your life and health.

Remember this: You have the power to choose. However, once the decision is made you become a servant to that decision. Does that make sense?

Now, what decision will you make with respect to your level of health and fitness?

New classes for the Firestorm Fitness System Fat Burning Fit Camps and The 28 Day Miracle Fat Loss Program are starting soon. Why not give yourself the gift of health and fitness?

Steve

Steve Payne is San Antonio's premier fat loss expert. If you're really serious about fat loss, then please consider San Antonio's finest fat loss "boot camp", the Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps, The 28 Day Miracle Fat Loss Program or you can e-mail Steve here for more information on his many GUARANTEED success programs.