1. Are Physical Activity Professionals Needed?...Yes!
One reason is the low levels of physical activity and the resulting obesity epidemic facing our nation.
Take a look at the following slides from the Centers for Disease Control to see how our nation’s level of obesity is on the rise as a result of our low levels of physical activity.
What impact can you make as a physical activity professional?
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

2. Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
Watch the progression of the trend over the years.

3. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1985
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

4. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1986
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

5. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1987
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

6. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1988
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

7. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1989
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

8. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

9. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

10. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1992
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5′4″ (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

11. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1993
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

12. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1994
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

13. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1995
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

14. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1996
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

15. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1997
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

16. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1998
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

17. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1999
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

18. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2000
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

19. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2001
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

20. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2002
(*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” person)
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

21. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2003
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

22. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2004
*BMI ≥ 30, or ~30 lbs (13.6 kg) overweight for 5’4” (162.5 cm) person.
Chapter 1 - Hoffman (2005)

23. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2005
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

24. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2006
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

25. Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1998, 2006

26. Obesity Trends Among U.S. Adults
We have never had an epidemic like this that we have been able to track so thoroughly.
About 60 million adults, or 30 percent of the adult population, are now obese, which is a doubling of the rate since 1980.