Download the PowerPoint briefing! The trends are quite dramatic. (Despite what this page says, it's only 1 MByte.)

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 1985 only a few states were participating in CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and providing obesity data. In 1991, four states had obesity prevalence rates of 15–19 percent and no states had rates at or above 20 percent. In 2003, 15 states had obesity prevalence rates of 15–19 percent; 31 states had rates of 20–24 percent; and 4 states had rates more than 25 percent.

Keep in mind: this data is limited to obesity. If you broaden the scope just slightly, you'll find that 60% of all Americans are either overweight or obese. (Did you know that, "left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America?" Did you also know that "One in every three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime", and that "Diabetes will cut 17-27 years off your life"?)

The simplest explanation for the downward trend in music?

Fat people hate music.

Isn't it obvious? Think about it. (Forget about what Queen said; that was decades ago. Of course, there is Jennifer Lopez ...) Think about MTV and how it has changed the face (and body) of popular music. Seriously, think about it.

What explains the Government's failure to respond? (Answer: the Fat Lobby is very strong -- even if they do have to outsource their Muscle.)

End the War on Drugs! Begin the War on Fat!

Forget about the balanced budget amendment. Pass a balanced diet amendment! The lives of Ordinary Americans are at stake here!

Ask yourself how many Americans dropped dead within 4 hours of eating at McDonald's while Congress piddled around in Playland over the Schiavo case. The truth may shock you.

US Obesity Trends 1985 to 2000