Study Finds Obesity Death Toll Nearly Four Times Higher Than Thought

“It appears that obesity has a strangle-hold on American lives which is impacting health care costs and our quality of life,” said Jim Baugh, founder of PHIT America, which is responding to the inactivity and obesity crisis by leading “A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America.”

PHIT America has ideas on what can be implemented in the U.S. to stop obesity from soaring.  It focuses on developing an active population, which starts with daily, quality P.E. in American schools for children.

PHIT America’s Five-Step Solution Plan

1.    Acknowledge Inactivity Is a Major Issue To the Obesity Crisis
While the U.S. is very focused on food and calories consumed, the inactivity pandemic has grown out of control and is a major contributor to the obesity issue. Right now, 28 percent of Americans are totally sedentary – a figure which increases year after year and up three percentage points in the past few years. Only one-third of Americans are active to ‘healthy standards,’ exercising three times a week or more — and this percentage is dropping. While “calories consumed” is important, “calories burned” has to be a major focus.

2.    Get America Moving, Playing More Sports & Exercising
It starts with every family getting out and being active. Start with just walking or playing a sport or getting into a fitness program. This is a way that all Americans can jump-start their lives to reduce weight and become more healthy. As CDC Director Thomas Frieden said, “Activity is the wonder drug.”  We just need to do it!  Americans who are looking for a place to play should visit the PARTICIPATE section on PHITAmerica.org., the ‘Yellow Pages’ of places to play.

3.    Pass the PHIT Act To Give Americans a Financial Incentive To Get Active
We need more prevention in our health care system to help control costs while improving the health of all Americans. The PHIT Act is new legislation that will allow Americans to use pre-tax medical accounts to get reimbursed for physical activity expenses. This will give Americans a financial incentive to be active, fit and healthy. Contact your local Members of Congress to show your support by visiting PHITAmerica.org and click on ADVOCATE.

4.    Continue Funding the PEP Program To Support P.E. in Our Schools
Did you know 48 percent of high schools have no P.E. and the average school budget for P.E. in the average school is less than $800 per year?  P.E is the grassroots program for all activity in America. Research shows that Americans who have P.E. are more than two times as likely to be active outside of school. The PEP Program is a 12-year-old program that provides grants to school districts to support P.E. programs throughout America. Let’s keep it alive to help keep children moving to fight obesity. Click here to advocate for the PEP Program.

5.    Start the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge To Get Your Community Moving!
This new 10-week fitness program was just introduced for cities to help citizens jump-start their fitness programs in a fun way. Cities are given a tested program with significant tips and support to make their Mayor’s Fitness Challenge a huge success. Every city in America should develop a Mayor’s Fitness Challenge to help fight the obesity crisis.

For more information on the obesity epidemic, inactivity crisis, and PHIT America’s solutions, please visit www.PHITAmerica.org.