Hospitals Lead by Poor Example: An Assessment of Snacks, Soda, and Junk Food Availability in Veterans Affairs Hospitals

Rates of overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes continue to rise throughout the United States. Recent trends in obesity reveal that the age-standardized prevalence of obesity among adults increased to 39.6% in 2015-2016 from 33.7% in 2007-2008 (1). Furthermore, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased to 34.7% in 2012, from 32.9% in 2004 (2). According to the Center for Disease Control, 40% of cancer diagnoses are related to obesity (3). Additionally, studies reveal that a significant proportion of cancer diagnoses are attributable to a combined effect of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes (4).
Source: Nutrition - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research