by Amy Spangler
February 08, 2010

The Surgeon General of the United States has a prescription for making Americans healthy and fit that can be summarized in two words—LOSE WEIGHT.

Whether Dr. Benjamin’s vision of adults eating healthy foods and getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week can become a reality remains to be seen, but no one will dispute the need for change. Currently, 2 out of 3 U.S. adults and 1 out of 3 U.S. children are either overweight or obese. Rates are even higher in certain racial and ethnic groups. Among women 40 to 59 years of age, 52 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 47 percent of Hispanics are obese, compared to 36 percent of non-Hispanic whites. Even among teenagers the obesity rate for non-Hispanic blacks (29 percent) is twice that of non-Hispanic whites (14.5 percent).

To make matters worse, individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and the complications that accompany those diseases. For example, since 1980, the number of Americans with type 2 diabetes has tripled.

While genes, metabolism, environment, and culture influence body weight, too many calories and too little physical activity are the primary causes of obesity. The Surgeon General’s solution is simple—exercise more and eat less.

Easy? No. Worth it? Yes.

For more on Dr. Benjamin’s recommendations, including “breastfeeding exclusively to six months,” check out The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation.