Dire news of runaway health care costs surrounds us every day. We know about the problems driving the alarming increases, but how often do we hear about solutions?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, released by the U.S. Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives action steps to help people set and reach realistic goals in weight control, building stronger muscles and bones, and eating well to help prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Promoting good habits is a key to reducing the growing problems of obesity and physical inactivity, and to gaining the health benefits that come from a balanced diet. Consider these facts:

• Nearly two out of three U.S. adults (64.5 percent) are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 1999 and 2002, about 16 percent of U.S. children, ages 16 to 19, were overweight, up from 11 percent in the previous study (1988–1994).
• A significantly overweight employee can have a benefit expense of more than 20 percent higher than a person who is not. The UCLA/RAND Managed Care Center for Psychiatric Disorders says individuals who are obese have 30 percent to 50 percent more chronic medical problems than those who smoke or drink heavily.
• In 2005, being overweight is predicted to surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
• We each ate 1,775 pounds of food in 2000, up from 1,497 pounds in 1970.
• In a historical first, there are now as many over-nourished as undernourished people worldwide.
• Getting regular physical activity and reducing sedentary activities promotes health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight. This advice comes from Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005:
  
  • To reduce the risk of chronic disease, get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on most days of the week. (For most people, greater health benefits can be gained by taking part in more vigorous physical activity for longer periods.)
  • To help manage weight and prevent gradual weight gain, fit about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity into most days of the week while not exceeding calorie needs.
  • To sustain weight loss in adulthood, participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate physical activity while not exceeding calorie requirements. (If you have been inactive or have other health concerns, talk to your doctor before participating in this level of activity.)
  • Children and teens should be physically active for 60 minutes almost every day.

UPSer’s and their spouses can take a health assessment that offers an in-depth assessment of your lifestyle and factors that impact your health status. This will give you an opportunity to see your health in a big picture. Doing so can help you prioritize the kinds of health changes you may need to consider, and which health changes you may be ready and confident to make.

Click here for more information on the Health Assessment.

Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, U.S. Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture