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Short
| Obesity Update |
Is Obesity Really Leveling Off?
Skeptics question CDC’s recent report of ‘plateau’
> The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recently reported that obesity seemed to be leveling off for the
first time since 1980. About 33% of adult men and 35% of women
were regarded as obese in 2005-2006, as compared to 31%
and 33%, respectively, during the 2003-2004 time period.
Today, more than 72 million
Americans fall into the obese category.
Most are adults ages 40-59.
CDC officials concluded that the
increases, based on a survey and
physical examination of 4,400 adults,
weren’t statistically significant.
Skeptics, however, warned that
these figures were too high and
still cause for concern. “Until the
numbers start to go in the other
direction, I don’t think we can
consider this a success at all,”
Mark Swanson, a researcher of
32 Club Business International | MARCH 2008 | www.ihrsa.org
Takes | Fitness Franchises Face Off Online
Cyberspace is now a virtual space in which you can “get the skinny,”
so to speak, about how to firm up and slim down—in reality. In recent
months, no less than three IHRSA members have introduced interactive
health-and-fitness-minded Websites.
• Curves International, Inc., the
Woodway, Texas-based franchise
company with more than 10,000
locations worldwide, promises
that users will “amaze themselves”
when they subscribe to
www.curvescomplete.com, a site
awash with tips and tools inspired
by the book Curves: Permanent
Results Without Permanent
Dieting, by Curves cofounder
and CEO Gary Heavin.
• Got a question? At www.askmehowtoloseweight.com, a site launched
by Casey Conrad, the creator of the Healthy Inspirations fitness franchise,
industry expert Dr. Kevin Steele gives answers. Every two weeks,
he and Conrad host a tele-seminar to answer user-submitted weightloss
inquiries.
• And elements, the franchiser of upscale clubs for women based
in Miami, offers www.balanceyourelements.com, a Website offering
members expert-provided solutions on everything from food to fitness
to provide a “total-transformation” experience. —|
Conflicting conclusions
childhood obesity and school nutrition at the University of
Kentucky’s College of Public Health, told the Associated Press.
Bryan Young, the producer of an upcoming documentary
about the dangers of obesity, titled Killer at Large, calls the
CDC’s report a “clever PR stunt.” He argues that its claim
that there have been “no significant
gains” in the progression of obesity
is inaccurate and misleading.
“We’re still talking 2%-3% of the
population—close to a million people—
crossing over the threshold of obesity
in the last two years. That sounds
pretty significant to me,” Young points
out. “This report is a failing grade
for the government’s response to
obesity, and they’re packaging it
as a victory because the rate went
up slightly less drastically than
in years past.” —|