Americans are at risk of developing nine major diseases because they are overweight or obese. What is it going to take to get people to cut the fat from their diets and lose weight and maybe live longer? This article covers some of the most serious problems facing anyone who is overweight or obese in America. I will cover other diseases in future articles.

Cardiovascular diseases top the list and have five specific illnesses that obese people are at risk to develop. Congestive Heart Failure, which is when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the organs and basically works itself to death. Risk factors for getting this condition are hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, hyperthyroidism, severe emphasema, previous history of heart disease and valvular heart disease.

Lifestyle risk factors are excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and long-term use of anabolic steroids. Men are more prone to be at risk for congestive heart failure and the average age of people with this disease is age 65 or older. Again, what is the problem with dropping some weight and eating a less fat diet if we can live longer and be healthier?

There has to be a solution to get people to make changes in their lives and reduce the risks of serious diseases that can shorten our lives or kill us. How do we combat this epidemic? Is there some incentive that will make people take action, if so, what is it. We need to find the 'magic bullet' that moves Amricans to save themselves from an early death.

Would it be plausible to get deductions on health insurance for losing and maintaining a healthy weight? Perhaps dinner with their favorite celebrity or politician would motivate people. Local weight loss competitions or maybe competition between states to lower their obesity levels over a year's time. We have already tried advertisements on the dangers of being over weight and the risks it poses to our children too. None of these have made a dent in this problem.

I know that Obamacare will be taxed to the max with people who are over weight and obese and will need more medical care than ever to bring their health conditions under control, but will this be enough to turn the tide on the obesity epidemic. We truly do not have a great deal of time to waste if we want to prevent the younger generation from being unhealthy and dying young. We truly need to find answers to these questions before we lose our children to these diseases.