WHy so important?
- Unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are leading causes of death in the U.S. People are dying. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, unhealthy eating and inactivity cause 310,000-580,000 deaths every year—similar to the number of deaths caused by tobacco and 13 times more than are caused by guns.
- Almost two-thirds (61%) of American adults are overweight or obese. Obesity rates in children have doubled in the last two decades, prompting concern about the rates of diet- and inactivity-related diseases that will occur as obese children age.
- Diet- and inactivity-related disabilities. Quality of life is reduced. Unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are major contributors to reduced quality of life and disabilities.
- Amputations and blindness can be complications of diet-related diabetes.
- People who have had a stroke or an osteoporosis-related hip fracture may suffer loss of independence.
- Diet- and inactivity-related diseases are expensive. Better nutrition could reduce the cost of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes by $71 billion each year.