Obesity and Diabetes Epidemic Spreading in California

Scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) say that obesity and diabetes, two conditions tightly linked to each other, are currently still exhibiting a sharp rise in the state.

According to the new research paper, it would appear that the majority of adult Americans living in California are either obese or overweight.

It was additionally discovered that about 2 million people living there have diabetes, in addition to excessive body weight.

The new work was led by experts at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, who looked at data spanning the six years between 2001 and 2007.

These two conditions are very dangerous because they go hand in hand, and also cause heart problems.

Fat people generally tend to have more issues with their hearts, less efficient circulatory systems, and a greater tendency of experiencing heart attacks and strokes.

What was interesting for the team to discover is that the conditions appear to have no racial, ethnic, economic or geographic preferences. They attack anyone indiscriminately.

Lifestyle choices are oftentimes the problem, as people consume unhealthy foods in excess, all day long. Most of those who get fat because of it then go on to experience numerous side-effects, for not being able to temper their urges at one point.

Doing so is not necessarily easy, given that desires and appetite are hormone-driven, and hormonal imbalances occur frequently. But these needs can be kept in check, if the will to do so exists.

Furthermore, people need to keep in mind the fact that the main treatment for obesity is a change in lifestyle. Why go through all the trouble of gaining weight only to spend money losing it, when you can keep it off in the first place?

This idea is lost on many people in California, and indeed the United States. The situation isn't any better in other countries of the developed world, such as the United Kingdom.

“When so many people of different ages, income and educational levels, and cultural backgrounds are struggling with obesity and diabetes, it suggests that 'going on a diet' is not enough,” Dr. Allison Diamant.

“We need to take a hard look at the environmental and structural factors that contribute to these conditions,” says Diamant, a coauthor of the new research.

She is also a faculty associate with the Center, and an associate adjunct professor of general internal medicine and health services research at the university.