By: Megan Palera
8@klkntv.com
Some startling new health statistics - a new study finds the U.S. obesity rate will soar by 2030.
The report released Tuesday projects that more than half of the U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 unless Americans change their ways.
"I have young children and I would like to think that hopefully when they grow up they can learn some new habits and not be obese," Lincoln resident Adam Skoda said.
At the top of the list is Mississippi. It's predicted 2/3 of adults will be obese. Nebraska ranks 21st - the obesity rate expected to jump to 56.9%. So can we reverse the trend?
Dr. Bob Rauner with Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln says yes and it has started in the schools. In just three years, LPS has dropped the obesity rate by a whole percent just by adding more physical activity and dropping junk food fundraisers.
Other positive initiatives include employee wellness programs used at several Lincoln businesses, and more vending machines are being filled with diet rather than just regular.
"More than half of the excess calories that people are getting are all coming from beverages so your Mountain Dew and Monster energy drinks and Caprisun and lattes and things like that. That is the biggest single source," Dr. Rauner said.
Even McDonald's is trying to raise awareness. The golden arches now posting calories on its menus in stores all across the country.
"I think that would be one way to start at least getting the awareness out there about what they're eating," Skoda said.
Maybe an even more shocking number than the obesity rate is the medical costs which could reach $66 billion per year.
