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Half of Ohio’s adults may be obese by 2018

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Staff Writer Updated 8:52 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

COLUMBUS — In 10 years, half of adult Ohioans are expected to be obese, according to a new study to be released Tuesday, Nov. 17.

And as Ohioans’ girths grow, so does the cost of health care related to all those extra pounds.

If Ohio’s obesity rate hits the projected 50.9 percent by 2018, it’ll cost $1,877 per adult in additional health care costs in their lifetimes, according to the findings by Kenneth Thorpe of Emory University, who heads the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.

About half of those costs are publicly funded.

Thorpe’s report was funded by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention.

Obesity is defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as anyone with a body mass index of 30 or higher.

“We are seeing children who are heavier, on average, and are having problems with diabetes and high blood pressure earlier,” said Mary Beth Kaylor, a professor at Wright State University’s college of nursing.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers are unveiling legislation today, calling for more physical education and better nutrition options in K-12 schools in Ohio to combat childhood obesity.

If Ohio were able to hold steady at the current adult obesity rate of 34 percent, which public health advocates say is still too high, it could save $1,150 per adult by 2018, according to Thorpe’s findings.

Calculate your BMI

Body mass index, a measurement set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is based on your height and weight. BMIs fall into four categories: less than 18.5 is underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal weight, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30 or higher is obese. To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply that number by 703.

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"I've debated with many blacks.Its always the same"

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and assume you are mean "via anonymous online forums" or "in my car driving away" when you say this.
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11:04 PM, 11/17/2009
_______________________

Whats the point you are trying to make? You would be too frightened of getting beat up or shot by a black thug to have the NERVE to debate a black?

safely anonymous
7:57 AM, 11/18/2009

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As long as people continue to eat out, some will be obese. Some are caused by medicines, some by people just eating too much to begin with.
Why pig out, when you are full stop eating. Try smaller portions, leave some on your plate. Eat at home. Eat healthier foods. It is not hard to do,I do it everyday, it is a choice we make everyday. If you want to be fat-pig out-you will be fat. You can't just change your food you need to change your life to a healthy one.
If you do not care you will be fat

eat healthy
7:04 AM, 11/18/2009

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As long as people eat out they will be fat. It is not healthy. Also surgery for obese people does not work either. I know a woman who had the surgery, she even had fat cut off her belly, she is still fat.It just caused her to be unisurable.
People eat out a lot, that is the main cause. I eat veggies a lot, I am not overwieght, I eat healthy, I rarely eat out. I am always afraid of eating out for fear workers are not clean. I saw a employee use the bathroom, not wash, go back to work, I left.

eat @ home
6:57 AM, 11/18/2009

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"I've debated with many blacks.Its always the same"

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and assume you are mean "via anonymous online forums" or "in my car driving away" when you say this.

-
11:04 PM, 11/17/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Im gonna punch dat white man wit my gorrilla guns! I gotz da right to bear arms!

Michelle Obama
8:54 PM, 11/17/2009

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