Ben Dalzotto is a hundred and thirty pounds lighter these days. The Chattanooga Resident says he committed to a healthy lifestyle after realizing how obesity was taking a toll on his health.
Ben Dalzotto, Chattanooga resident, "I couldn't do anything except just like get up and go. I couldn't move without feeling unhealthy."
And according to a recent survey, other residents of the Southeastern U.S. May be doing the same. Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama all saw a drop in their obesity rates according to new data - but the shift could also be due to a change in how surveys are conducted.
Dr. Chris Sanborn, Erlanger Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center, "What they've been doing in the past is telephone survey data, so they've been calling people on their home phones and asking their height, their weight and a series of other questions related to health. Now they've actually included cell phone users."
Dr. Chris Sanborn says he thinks this sampling is more accurate. Southern and Midwest states continue to have the highest rates of obesity. But about one third of all Americans are considered obese.
Ben Dalzotto, "I think that obesity is a problem nationwide. I think it still is a problem in the south especially with the way that we prepare a lot of our foods but I don't think it's just the south that prepares our food improperly."
Dr. Sanborn says various health programs could be helping people trim down... And stay out of those higher body fat categories. Dalzotto says bringing health to the forefront may be the reason more adults are taking charge of their health.
"It's not that hard and there are lots of great ways to get in shape that are easy and inexpensive, like there's a Living social right now."
And those changes could mean more years in your life, and more life in your years.
