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* Guam adult obesity rate over 35% for the first time in the latest CDC data4
http://www.hsvg.org/ Guahan Global Foundation
Guahan Global Foundation P.O. Box 206, Hagatna, GU 96932, USA
UN should take action to de-escalate tensions not only across Taiwan Strait but also in South China Sea Guahan Global Foundation recently noticed that op-ed articles written by Taiwan Foreign Minister Chia-lung Lin and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam Director General Chia-ping Liu were published in newspapers in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. We agree that all attempts to distort United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 must be stopped. We also urge the UN to take action to de-escalate tensions not only across Taiwan Strait but also in South China Sea.   The United States is now celebrating the 45th anniversary of the enactment of Taiwan Relations Act. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) therefore introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate in April to recognize the deep and dynamic U.S. – Taiwan partnership. The resolution has also mentioned that the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 in 1971, which did not address Taiwan’s political status or the issue of Taiwan’s representation in the UN. However, the People’s Republic of China continues to falsely assert that UNGA Resolution 2758 ‘‘resolved, politically, legally and procedurally, the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations and international institutions.”   During a discussion at the German Marshall Fund at the end of April, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mark Lambert actually said the world needs to oppose China’s distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758, which wrongly justifies China’s claim over Taiwan. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell also criticized during a US House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing last week that China is using UNGA Resolution 2758 “to make the argument that somehow Taiwan’s status is illegitimate.”   We want to point out that “One China Policy” is only existing on paper. Taiwan is never being part of the PRC. We can tell China’s action is seeking to unilaterally change the Taiwan Strait status quo. It is going to gravely threaten stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.   We also want to remind the world that PRC’s expansionism is very true. Beijing is not only using the distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758 trying to create false narrative across Taiwan Strait. It is also encroaching Philippines’ lawful rights in the South China Sea.   The ongoing maritime dispute between China and the Philippines has been continuously escalating over the years with more vessel collisions, scuffles, and allegations of armed threats. Filipino fishermen were often treated with China’s water cannons. The incidents of “big vessels versus small vessels” frequently resulted in injuries while fishing with a small boat is usually the only way many Filipino families support their living.   However, it is worth noticing China’s influence in economy is still bringing some countries the difficulty to make their choice between economy and national security. Much like the Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, where an embassy of the PRC is established, is struggling with this issue, too. The UN Charter clearly states that the purpose and the principles of the UN are to maintain international peace and security. International disputes should be resolved by peaceful means. While the 79th session of the UN General Assembly is taking place now in New York, we call on the UN to reject the wrong interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 over Taiwan. We also urge the UN to take action to de-escalate tensions in South China Sea. (Press release | September 23, 2024) http://www.hsvg.org/hot_499395.html * UN should take action to de-escalate tensions not only across Taiwan Strait but also in South China Sea 2024-09-28 2025-09-28
Guahan Global Foundation P.O. Box 206, Hagatna, GU 96932, USA http://www.hsvg.org/hot_499395.html
Guahan Global Foundation P.O. Box 206, Hagatna, GU 96932, USA http://www.hsvg.org/hot_499395.html
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Home ﹥ News > News > * Guam adult obesity rate over 35% for the first time in the latest CDC data

Guam adult obesity rate over 35% for the first time in the latest CDC data


Guahan Global Foundation calls on our island community to notice that Guam is among 25 states or territories with 35% or higher adult obesity rates in the latest Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last week. It is the first time Guam reaches this high category of adult obesity rate in the national data.

 

In the latest report, CDC highlights the issue of adult obesity rate over 35%, which means more than one in three adults has obesity. CDC emphasizes that, before 2013, no state has an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35% and the 2023 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps for 48 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 territories, based on self-reported weight and height from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, shows a notable increase on the proportion of adults with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30.

 

Guahan Global Foundation looked into CDC’s database and found that Guam’s adult obesity rates from 2011 to 2014 were lower than 30%. Although People in Guam are no stranger to high obesity prevalence and CDC’s data from 2019 to 2022 did show Guam’s adult obesity rates have been increasing and already between 30% to 35%, the 2023 report is the first time Guam joins one of the highest categories of adult obesity rates. Guam’s adult obesity rate in CDC’s 2023 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps is 35.4%.

 


Guahan Global Foundation therefore wants to remind our island community to be aware of the continuously increasing obesity prevalence in Guam. Obesity is actually a disease that can cause many health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses. In addition, the stigma and bias about a person’s weight can cause social and mental health consequences, such as anxiety and poor body image. A highest level of adult obesity rates our island has ever seen can significantly raise the risk for those health issues in Guam.

 

Guahan Global Foundation also suggests that Guam residents should kindly offer their support to overweight individuals in their families or friend circles to help them increase access to healthy food options, find safe and accessible places for physical activity, or reach out to stigma-free obesity treatment program if they want to improve their body weight. People are also welcome to check out Guahan Global Foundation’s TLC x TLC program, which combines US National Institutes of Health’s “Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes” and General Nutrition Center’s “Total Lean Challenge” to guide people properly reaching their weight-loss goals, at www.hsvg.org/hot_287522.html

 

CDC’s Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps also analyzes obesity rates by race and ethnicity. Guam’s non-Hispanic white adults’ obesity rate (25.5%) is relatively lower than the number of most states. The obesity rate of Asian adults in Guam is, much like most states, under 20%. While CDC found the adult obesity rates of American Indians or Alaska Native people were above 35% in 30 among 45 states, CDC did not have sufficient data to determine the obesity rate of the indigenous people in Guam.

 

Guahan Global Foundation’s search found a University of Guam research result published in 2008 showed 49% of Chamorro adults were obese while the obesity rate of Filipinos in Guam was 20%. We believe that new research on Chamorro adults’ obesity prevalence is needed. If the current number is even higher than 2008’s, a more aggressive intervention may need to be implemented.


(Press release | September 17, 2024)

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