Obesity in the US and the Cosmic Crisp apple

Two topics today. Obesity in the US and the New Cosmic Crisp apple

Will you “weight” for me?

http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/vast-majority-american-adults-are-overweight-or-obese-and-weight-growing-problem-among

“Houston, we have a weight problem!!!”

From the linked article”

“An estimated 160 million Americans are either obese or overweight. Nearly three-quarters of American men and more than 60% of women are obese or overweight. These are also major challenges for America’s children – nearly 30% of boys and girls under age 20 are either obese or overweight, up from 19% in 1980.”

And, from Wikipedia:

“Obesity in the United States is a major health issue, resulting in numerous diseases, specifically increased risk of certain types of cancer, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, as well as significant increases in early mortality and economic costs.

An obese person in the United States incurs an average of $1,429 more in medical expenses annually. Approximately $147 billion is spent in added medical expenses per year within the United States. This number is expected to increase approximately $1.24 billion per year until the year 2030.

And, looking at seniors and obesity: “41.0% among older adults aged 60 and older.”

By-the-way, overweight is from 25 to 29.99 in terms of Body Mass Index and obesity is over 30 on the BMI scale.  [I am about 10 pounds overweight - use: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm to find your BMI.

*****

Really?   Nearly three-quarters of American men and more than 60% of women are obese or overweight!!!  75% of men are overweight - out of every four males, three are overweight or obese?  

And 60% of American females?  Really?  

Health issues abound with being overweight - from heart attacks to diabetes.  Yes, as a person who likes food - and is overweight - what (excuse me) “pigs we are”? 

Yet, we pay for gym memberships, we go on diets.  January is the big month for diet plans on television.   There are the Mediterranean diets, even the Atkins diets.  If you look online, there are an abundance of suggestions and plans for losing weight.  

*****

The New Apple (and not the technology company)

https://nypost.com/2019/10/21/growers-say-this-new-apple-will-be-better-than-the-honeycrisp/

The article says “A new variety called the Cosmic Crisp will be available for picking at grocery stores beginning Dec. 1 — and growers say it will be better than the Honeycrisp.  It is a cross between the Enterprise and Honeycrisp varieties.

“Named for the bright yellow dots on its skin — which resemble stars — the fruit was developed at Washington State University in a nearly two-decade undertaking.  “It’s ultra-crisp, very juicy and has a good balance of sweetness and tartness,” said Kate Evans, who runs the breeding program at the university.  It also keeps for a long time in storage or the fridge.”

*****

It seems like the old ‘favorite’ - the Red Delicious apple is no longer in vogue.  Over the years I have liked Jonathan Apples, but they are harder to find.  Some new hybrids have improved disease resistances, or slower to turn brown.  In Connecticut, I liked the Macoun apple. I like a firm apple that is a little tart.  

The new Cosmic Crisp apples will be expensive for some time as they are exclusively licensed to Washington State apple growers for ten years.  I saw a website that advertised six of the Cosmic Crisp apples for over forty dollars (about $7 an apple!!)

Have you tried one of the new apples yet?  Have you heard of them?  What do you think?

Hugs!!

Karen