North Dakota Follows Obesity Trend | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 9/19/2012

According to nationwide studies, North Dakota is among the states that are seeing increased numbers in obesity.

"People don`t see the harms to their body. Here and now then they are not concerned about it but what they don`t realize is, there is continual damage being done to them," said clinical dietitian, Kayla Cole.

"It`s a constant battle, with the way the economy can add stress and a lot of people go to food-their comfort food," said personal trainer Jacob Smith.

According to dietitians in North Dakota, specifically in Minot, obesity and overweight rates are on the rise. That`s not just with adults, but also with children.

"A fourth of our children, one of four, are considered overweight or obese. So yes, we`re above some states, and that`s great. But really the real answer is we all need to work on it because one in four is not a good place to be," said Cole.

Cole believes child obesity is linked to adults not living by example for their children.

Learning about diet and exercise are crucial, but Cole believes that people are uneducated about digestion.

"They don`t realize it takes 20 minutes to tell yourself that you are full-so if you go back for seconds or thirds before 20 minutes are over, you could be stuffed already."

According to a recent study by Trust for America`s Health, if obesity rates continue to increase, by 2030, 13 states could have adult obesity rates above 60 percent and 39 states could have rates above 50 percent.

"I definitely think we could be shooting toward those numbers if people don`t take responsibility for their lives and start finding their motivation to change," said Cole.

Although obesity rates are rising, we can only hope that people will use the available resources to prevent the rates from climbing.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY