[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/07/art.burger.fries.gi.jpg caption="A new study says that by 2030, 86% of adults will be overweight, with 51% obese."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Put down that burger and fries and consider this: a new study says that every American adult could be overweight in 40 years. We're actually not so far away now with two-thirds of the population already overweight.
Researchers say that if the trends of the last 30 years hold up… by 2030, 86% of adults will be overweight, with 51% obese. By 2048, they predict all adults could be overweight.
Certain groups – like African-Americans and Mexican-Americans – are expected to suffer the most from weight issues. In fact, all black women and almost all Mexican-American men could be overweight in less than 30 years.
And it's not just the scales we'd be tipping. The study shows that health care costs related to all this weight will double each decade, reaching $957 billion in about 20 years. Or even more.
Some experts doubt that all of us will be obese or overweight in 40 years, but they agree the problem is getting worse. Others say it just might happen if Americans keep eating more and moving around less. Researchers call for major efforts to improve lifestyles in this country along with social changes, like healthier food choices and making neighborhoods more pedestrian-friendly.
Here’s my question to you: What should Americans do so that all of us aren’t overweight in 40 years?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Raymond from Gatesville, Texas writes:
Very well might happen with all the games around for young people to play. Parents do not send them out to play and exercise. And fathers and mothers no longer cook when they can buy prepared unhealthy meals and go by fast food places.
Ozzy writes:
Well, Jack, Americans don't need to be afraid of putting their burgers down just yet – just start moving! You can eat what you like, as long as you keep it in moderation, but the key is to be more active. Our bodies were made to expend lots of calories, and what with our sedentary lifestyles (video games, desk jobs, etc.) we don't get a lot of movement.
Greg from Cabot, Arkansas writes:
Gas has more than doubled in the past few years, so I drive less and walk more. Food prices have skyrocketed because of the cost of fuel, so I eat less. If the price of gas continues to go up, oil companies will get fatter, Americans will lose weight… problem solved. Exxon can take the credit for whipping Americans into shape.
Mikey from Kansas writes:
Imagine a world without double Big Macs and breakfast tacos?! It would be madness!
Dave writes:
I think this study is completely ridiculous. Yes, it is true that we have a very overweight population. I mean let’s face it, our country is the only one in the world that has fat poor people, everyone else’s poor are starving… You can’t say that everyone will be overweight! I know I won’t be... I believe that our country is getting more and more health conscious every single day.
Monty from El Paso, Texas writes:
We’ve become addicts to finger-licking good and greasy victuals. I can’t resist the fries, burgers, enchiladas, tacos, and T-bone steaks. I’m trying to eat more vegetables. It’s not easy when our country is surrounded by golden arches and when we allow burger kings to rule our lives. Revolution is the answer! But first, I have to take my TV dinner out of the microwave oven.