America Keeps Putting on the Pounds

<img width="128" height="120" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20050831203800265_1.gif" alt="">In the past year, the adult obesity rate rose in 48 of America's states, and nationally from 23.7% to 24.5%, Trust for America's Health found. Currently, about 119 million, or 64.5%, of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. According to projections, 73% of US adults could be overweight or obese by 2008, Trust for America's Health warned. In turn, this would mean many more people with obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, which could cost the nation billions of dollars.

Bicycle riding, for fun, fitness and transportation, continues to be a great way to battle obesity, and the recent funding given to bicycling in the transportation bill will help spread the word to more potential cyclists during the next five years.

- LAB news letter 8/29/05