Fat like us

When WHO-TV dressed Kathy Soltero in a fat suit in November 1993 and sent her out to experience life as a fat person, its "Fat Like Me" series was decried as bad journalism--or pretty funny television.

It's a wonder WHO bothered with the suit. Plenty of Iowans could have talked about life with excess poundage.

According to a recent Iowa Department of Public Health report, many Iowans are obese--and gaining. In 1994, 28.4 percent of Iowans were obese, up from 25.3 percent in 1989. That makes us the 10th fattest state in the nation.

"Report on the Health Behaviors of Iowans, 1994" presents information about a population that has been supersizing its fries far too long. As depicted in the report, Iowans eat too much, exercise too little and do not eat their fruits and vegetables. Their eating and exercising habits are anything but healthy in a period of rising health care costs.

"Often we think of people who are overweight in terms of appearance, but it truly is a health risk," says Susan Klein, ISU Extension family nutrition and health specialist.

Adds David Spreadbury, professor of nutrition at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, "The incidence of chronic diseases climbs quite dramatically among the overweight. As weight goes up, the higher the risk of mortality."

WEIGHING THE COSTS

Not only are Iowans eating too much, they're eating too...