BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor:
For everyone
American who
worries about their weight or the weight of their children, there is a stunning prediction tonight. Health experts warn that by the year
2030
, a staggering 42 percent of
Americans
will officially be obese, up from what it is now, 34 percent. And the cost of all of this is multiplying quickly. Our report tonight from
NBC
's
Anne Thompson
.
ANNE THOMPSON reporting:
America
is a
nation
that loves to eat. Despite what we all acknowledge as a growing problem, we are still tempted to indulge.
THOMPSON:
Our voracious appetite is such that now one third of
Americans
are obese.
Source:
Duke University/CDC
THOMPSON:
And today a new study projects that number will jump to 42 percent of adults by
2030
. And those 100 pounds overweight, classified as severely obese, will increase by 11 percent. A bigger
nation
means bigger medical problems and health care bills. But if we can hold the line, or more accurately our waist line, and not get any more obese, we could save $550 billion by
2030
. We get plenty of encouragement.
THOMPSON:
From
NFL football
heroes...
Ms. MICHELLE OBAMA:
Exercise and moving can be fun.
THOMPSON:
...to the first lady. For kids, weight carries more than just stigma.
Dr. ELIANA PERRIN (University of North Carolina):
Older overweight children are more likely to have high blood pressure, to have higher cholesterol, and, you know, to be able to move less well and play less well.
Unidentified Woman:
Now take a big breath for me.
THOMPSON:
Saber Basruto
lives with one of the consequences of childhood obesity, type two diabetes. She's lost weight, is on medication, and wants kids to learn from her.
Ms. SABER BASRUTO:
It's not about being skinny or looking great. It's about being fit. Just eat healthier.
THOMPSON:
But is
weight gain
just an energy equation, taking in more calories than you use? Or is it what we eat, refined sugars and grains that drive up insulin levels and can actually increase your appetite? One expert says it's not that simple.
Dr. JANEY PRATT (Massachusetts General Hospital):
We have a country that is perpetuating obesity because obese mothers are having children who are more likely to be obese as adults, and we have a toxic environment.
THOMPSON:
And Dr.
Pratt
says that toxic environment consists of portions that are too big and
Americans
who constantly eat. So what does a sedentary and overweight
nation
to do? Tomorrow we will get recommendations from the
Institute of Medicine
touted as comprehensive and evidence based, solutions that are likely to be as contentious at the many theories about the cause of
our obesity problem. Brian:
This is going to get interesting because previous attempts haven't worked.
Anne Thompson
, thanks, as
WILLIAMS:
“ ”