So you think we're fat now?

Just when you think it couldn't get worse in terms of obesity in America ... Check out the report released this month by Trust for American Health and the Robert Wood Foundation. The report title says it all: "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future."

Here's what we're looking at by 2030, less than 20 years from now. If America continues at its current pace, all states will have an obesity rate of more than 44 percent by then. Mississippi and Oklahoma are projected to have obesity rates of more than 66 percent, and 39 states will be above 50 percent. At the moment, Mississippi leads the nation with an obesity rate of 34.9 percent, so the rates will just about double. Idaho's obesity rate, which is 27 percent, will jump to more than 53 percent.

In laymen's terms, obesity is defined as 30 pounds overweight according to height-weight charts. So we're talking about doubling the number of people at least 30 pounds overweight.

The bottom line is, we're killing our kids. If projections end up being true, we'll see dramatic increases in type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Health care costs will go through the roof.

The report has several policy recommendations, including:

• Fully implement the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act by implementing the new school meal standards and updating nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages in schools;
• Make physical education and physical activity a priority for education;
• Fully support healthy nutrition in federal food programs; and
• Encourage full use of prevention health care services and provide support beyond a doctor's office.

These steps would help, but realize that we cannot count on government to solve the problem. It starts with parents promoting good nutrition at home, and setting an example. A child isn't likely to pay much attention if the parents are 50 pounds overweight.

Silent Killer hits home

My late brother, Mike, was always big on taking great family vacations -- taking his kids to places such as San Francisco and the San Diego Zoo. A lot of special memories came from that trip and my nephew, Ryan, has carried on that tradition with his wife and six boys.

In the past couple of years, Ryan and his family has gone to Disneyland, and he's planning another trip there in January. Good for him. He puts in a lot of long hours and saves up money to make the trip. But the vacation, and the memories about those good times, are well worth the 72-hour work weeks. I'm convinced that Ryan is just about the best father in the world; in my book, nobody can ask for a better nephew.

My hope is that Jack will be taking trips to Disneyland, or wherever, for a very long time. My fear is that his excessive weight at some point will prevent him from taking those wonderful vacations -- let alone working 72 hours a week.

Those fears would be immediately erased if Ryan were to get his weight to about 190. He weighed almost 270 pounds earlier this year, and a hernia operation took him down to just over 250 pounds.

To fully appreciate Ryan's situation, put 60-70 pounds of bowling balls in bags and carry them around on your shoulders. Do that for 20 years, and your body breaks down -- knees, hips and feet to mentioin a few. Obese people can live into their 40s, 50s and beyond, but not without severe health problems.

I have told my nephew that the train wreck that lies ahead if he continues with his weight pattern. He's opening the door for a heart attack, diabetes, knee and hip replacements. If he has a heart attack, or diabetes, he'll have to slow down at work. When that happens (not if, but when), he'll lose his job -- as I did years ago with the combination of diabetes and near blindness.

Ryan tells me that one reason he has not lost weight is because he feels a lot of pressure, which comes from raising six boys and long hours at work. He feels overwhelmed at times, which is understandable. So one of his outlets is eating big meals. About all he needs to do is cut his portions in half, which to a lot of people is easier said than done. In Ryan's case, it's going to take a lot of determination -- the same level of determination he has used in raising six boys.

If he doesn't do those things, his kids will lose a father and I will lose the greatest nephew ever.