America has a serious problem in that we are collectively getting fat. Just go to the mall and walk around, do a little people watching. Easily 2 out of every 3 people you observe will be overweight. For preppers this presents a huge issue because if things get crazy the state of an individual’s health could literally mean the difference between life and death. Being physically fit and free from medical conditions brought on by excessive weight gain will help to increase the chances of survival dramatically. Michael from the Economic Collapse Blog addressed this topic in one of his recent articles.
But it isn’t just the Baby Boomers that are obese. Sadly, obesity has become a raging epidemic in America and all of the numbers show this.
For example, a study by the RAND corporation discovered that the percentage of Americans that are severely obese rose from 3.9 percent in the year 2000 to 6.6 percent in 2010.
That is a huge increase in just a decade.
And the numbers are even more sobering when you look at the percentage of Americans that are just obese (rather than being severely obese).
As I wrote about the other day, 36 percent of all Americans are considered to be obese, and it is being projected that by 2030 that number will rise to 42 percent.
To put that in perspective, it is important to note that only 13 percent of all Americans were obese back in 1962.
Check out this video which was published earlier this year, what it lacks for in narration it makes up for with substance.
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Great article. Physical preparedness is just as important as any other aspect within the preparedness community. You can have the best-laid plan, but if you can’t get off the couch to execute it, what good is it?
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I agree and think we are facing a real problem here. Just pulling a sample from that show “Doomsday Preppers” I can think of quite a few who were woefully out of shape. I realize we all can’t run 5 miles and throw around iron in the gym, but to be serious about prepping means being serious about physical health is part of the price of admission.
Thanks for the comment GA.
Please read my obesity and prepping storyand when you comment==if you’re remotely reasonable. I listen.
I find that even lower calorie prepper foods can cause water retention (from sodium) metabolic syndromes including diabetes, thyroid failure, and worse from soy in the form of meat substitutes. Even the low calorie entrees and soup!
As an obese prepper, I lost half the weight, had a tummy tuck, and then I could not lose the rest. I have had to buy and even grow fresh veggies, and I only eat meat and veggies, occasioanally with bread. Off comes more weight! Having the post weight loss surgery and a plan to get rid of the rest was as big a part of prepping as learning to barter or following up that gun purchase with proper training.
I shifted from stockpiling to buying a mobile home and paying off the car. selling off some of the excess clothes that grew too large and buying more vegetable plants. When I make my ideal weight, why would I buy popular reserve foods again? to gain it back? For me prepping had to be a COMPLETE shift from food, first aid, and weapons, to building community relationships and better health. I feel I am more prepared but I still do have 96 rolls of toilet paper~!
Being extremely obese means you are especially likely to have health problems related to your weight. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. You can usually lose weight through dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior changes. In some cases, prescription medications or weight-loss surgery may be options. ;^:-
Talk to you later <http://healthdigest101.com
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