The United States is in the grips of a full-blown obesity epidemic that is spreading at an alarming rate.  Obesity is a major health risk factor linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. And it leads to a shortened life expectancy — on average, six to seven years less than people of normal weight.  The estimated annual cost of obesity-related diseases is $147 billion a year, which accounts for nearly 17% percent of medical spending  in the United States, according to recent research done by John Cawley at Cornell University and Chad Meyerhoefer of Lehigh, indicating that the nation's weight problem may be having close to twice the impact on medical spending than previously estimated.  Half of that cost is financed through Medicare and Medicaid.

Millions of Americans are consuming too many empty and fat-laden calories and not exercising enough. And today’s youth are becoming heavier at an alarming rate, with nearly12 million children and adolescents ages two to 19 are considered obese.  As these children grow older, they have a much greater risk of developing and dying from chronic diseases in adulthood. 

To address the issue, the American Heart Association (AHA) set a national goal: By 2020, improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.  This goal can be achieved through an expansion of comprehensive federal, state and local policies that reach Americans where they live, work, learn and play addressing issues such as increased physical activity opportunities, access to affordable and healthy foods and creating comprehensive worksite wellness programs.  Through our federal advocacy efforts, the Association hopes to turn the tide on the obesity epidemic so that we have Healthy Kidswho become Healthy Adults and live Healthy Lifestyles.