If you were born in a different country and moved to the US, you have a high chance of becoming obese – even if you were thin to begin with. What is it about the United States that makes people fat?

What’s worse, you also have a higher risk of all the dangers that come with being overweight, like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

A new study found alarming statistics about obesity in people moving to America. It tells us something important for your health. Read today’s Health Alert and you’ll also learn strategies for fighting the battle of the bulge and winning…for the rest of your life.

The American Obesity Epidemic

Obesity is a national epidemic.  It’s especially true for people aged 50 to 59.  In fact, for people in that age group, 42% of men and 52% of women are overweight. According to another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, obese middle-aged men lived an average of 5.8 fewer years than slimmer men.(1)

Another recent study looked at American immigrants.  They found obesity in 8% of the immigrants living in the US for less than a year, but in 19% of those living here for at least 15 years.  For immigrants living in the US for more than 15 years, 38% were obese.(2) So the longer the immigrants lived here, the greater their chance of obesity. 

Clearly, the US lifestyle leads you down the path of obesity…along with all the health problems it brings with it. The solution is to avoid some of the choices most Americans make.

How You Can Lose Weight and Keep It Off… For Life

7 simple ways to lose weight—and keep it off:(3)

• Eat breakfast.  Not eating breakfast increases your risk of obesity by a stunning 450%.
• Snack in the afternoon.  Eating a midday snack slashes your risk of obesity by 39%.
• Drink water with every meal.  A full glass of water will help you feel full.
• Don’t snack in front to the TV—this makes it too easy to mindlessly overeat.
• Plan your meals.  You’ll make healthier food choices with a plan.
• Eat high protein and low-glycemic foods.  (See Health Alerts 120 and 158)
• Begin a truly effective exercise program.  (For suggestions on easy ways to get started see Health Alerts 156 and 160)

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

(1) Peeters, A, Barendregt, JJ, et al., “Obesity in adulthood and its consequences for life expectancy:  a life-table analysis,” Annals of Internal Medicine, Jan 7, 2003;138(1):24-32

(2) Goel, MS, McCarthy EP, et al., “Obesity among US immigrant subgroups by duration of residence,” JAMA, 2004, vol 292:2860-67

(3) Sears, A, “The Doctor’s Heart Cure,” page 202-203, Dragon Door Publications, 2004