Fit as Fido

Obesity is on the rise

06.01.2009 // Fit As Fido // Dawn A. Marcus, M.D. // 4 Comments

The journal Obesity published staggering projections for weight in United States. Using current trends in obesity, researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health predict that 70 percent of adults in the United States will be overweight or obese by 2010 and 37 percent will be obese. By 2020, three in every four adults will be overweight or obese. And by 2030, four in every five adults will be overweight or obese and half will be obese! By 2048, it is estimated that every single adult around 40 years old will be overweight or obese – EVERY adult!

These numbers are staggering – so what can you do? Start walking your dog – seriously! Researchers in California showed that obesity occurred 65 percent more in dog owners who didn’t walk their dogs compared to those who did. And researchers at the University of Pittsburgh showed that people doing short exercise segments of about 10 minutes at least twice a day did better than people instructed to exercise for one 20-40 minute session daily. Those doing short exercise segments exercised more consistently and lost about 40 percent more weight! So 2-3 short dog walks a day will be fun for Fido, good exercise for you, and a great way to keep yourself from becoming an obesity statistic! If you’d like to track your walking progress, print out a free walking calendar . So grab a leash, whistle for Fido, and start walking those pounds away!