Number One, With A Bullet

At left is a graphic representation of the percentage of Americans over age 15 with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. According to our government - and to common sense if you saw such a person - a BMI of 30 or more constitutes obesity, a condition with a raft of chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease and more) close behind.

Now click here to see how we compare with 26 other countries who are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. But wait, these graphics are based on numbers compiled at the end of 2003. According to the CDC's just-released Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), the proportion of Americans with a BMI greater than 30 grew by 24 percent. The same report projects a 25% - 100% increase in health care costs for individuals with BMI greater than 30.

Was there ever a time when 31% of our population over age 15 smoked two packs a day? We demonized tobacco because it needlessly took the lives of people who didn't necessarily understand the risks, because social mores and values were inappropriately supportive of tobacco use and because individuals needed help to tackle their addictions. And I'm not even sure it ever got as out-of-hand as the situation with obesity has become.

We certainly did something as a nation about smoking. It took time and energy, but we did accomplish a great deal. And those who choose to smoke still can, in most cases without it negatively impacting those who choose differently.

It's past time to wake up, step up and move forward on addressing the obesity situation.