The Simple Facts

There is an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious medical condition in North America and worldwide. The statistics speak for themselves.

Obesity:

“Half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 unless Americans change their ways by reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity, according to a new report released by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.”

Diabetes:

Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (released Jan. 26, 2011)
Total prevalence of diabetes

  • Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.
  • Diagnosed: 18.8 million people
  • Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people
  • Prediabetes: 79 million people
  • New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

Heart Health

  • About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.
  • Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually.
  • Every year about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. 325,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.
  • Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year.This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Problem:

Our health care system and front facing medical professionals are pushed to the limit and have their hands full with acute care. Not nearly enough is being done in self management, education, and prevention.

Solution:

The good news is that many of these serious health conditions can be self managed through diet, nutrition, and exercise. Following these key self management principles will slow, stop, or ever reverse complications.

Problem:

Recent surveys show that nearly 80 per cent of diabetics do not have a full support system including nutrition, fitness, emotional and motivational resources to help them manage their diabetes. Sixty-three per cent feel that living with diabetes can be a burden and one-in-three wish they had someone to talk to who understands their day-to-day experiences and challenges.

Furthermore, “people with diabetes want to be responsible and proactive when it comes to managing their disease. However, they lack specific forms of needed support to manage their disease such as the opportunity to consult with experts in nutrition and physical activity as well as emotional and motivational support”

See this latest survey here

Solution:

Unfortunately there is no simple solution. It will take a concerted effort from government, health care professionals, and the private sector to work together on stemming the tide of health in North America. We intend to make a difference in any way we can and and assist others wherever possible to this end.