The New Bullet is Obesity Killing Black Americans

In the USA, obesity is set to overtake smoking as the main preventable cause of illness and premature death. By 2030 costs associated with treating preventable obesity-related diseases are estimated to increase to $66 billion a year.  Black Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity associated diseases: diabetes and lower limb amputations, hypertension, strokes, high cholesterol, gout, degenerative joint disease, heart attacks and kidney failure.

In 2011 US Census Bureau estimated that there were almost 44 million (43,884,130) Black Americans, 14.1%, of the total population in the United States. The United States has the highest obesity rates in the developed world and it has been increasing for 50 years. In 1962, 45% of adult Americans were overweight and 13% of the adults were obese. From 1980 to 2002, obesity rates doubled within ethnic minority groups and low-income citizens.

Studying the “Obesity Epidemic” is profitable to many governmental agencies. Take notice that after 50 years, none of these activities have been successful in “slimming down” America and there is good evidence that “personal profit” is more the motivation for discussing obesity than getting America to a healthier state. Despite an understanding the weight-gain principle, changes in the food industry moved in the opposite direction of reason. There are now more mass-produced, processed foods with added salt, fats and sugars and an increase in marketing of these products, especially targeting young children.  

Official dietary guidelines are not based on rigorous science. They may be contributing to the problem and doing far more harm than good. New “thinking” nutritionists are declaring that food additives and preservatives are the culprit in the obesity epidemic. In 2012, the US Army discharged service men and women for being obese and not being able to pass fitness tests.