When I ran across America in 2006, 15 percent of American children were obese, and 35 percent of American adults were obese. When I ran across Montana in 2008, 17 percent of kids were obese, and 34 percent of adults were obese. When I ran across Alaska in 2009, 17 percent of youth were obese, and 36 percent of adults were obese. When I ran across Germany in 2010, 17 percent of children were obese, and 35 percent of adults were obese. When I ran across the Mojave Desert in 2011, 17 percent of kids were obese, and 35 percent of adults were obese. Today in the United States, about 20 percent of young people (ages 2-19) are obese, and nearly 40% of adults are obese.
It would be very easy for me to read the ever-increasing numbers of obesity in both American children and adults and feel as though my thousands of miles of running to promote health and fitness were worthless. However, I have to believe that I made a positive impact on at least one person through my efforts of reaching for all of those mileposts. I know that all of those miles had a profound impact on me!
Obesity can contribute to Type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and other health problems. It’s currently estimated that U.S. healthcare costs related to obesity-related medical illnesses and conditions are somewhere between $147 to $210 billion a year.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
