Overstuffed Bathing Suits - America's New War On Obesity

I would never want to be accused of being a "dirty old man" but living and working on the beach lends itself to casual observation of women in bathing suits.  Men too.  Every day from my beachside office I am confronted with men and women in all sorts of beach attire.  The parade of families on their way to the pools and ocean provides ample opportunity to view first-hand what has been hotly debated for months now, America's War On Obesity.

ibtimes.com

From my vantage point and daily viewing of the vacationing public, America has a serious obesity problem.  It spans all ages, economical groups, ethnic background and all the other politically correct designators of the American public.  The majority of folks I see are all carrying extra luggage and it isn't the kind you place on a luggage cart.  Some just need to shed 5-10 pounds but by the looks of the overstuffed bathing suits, many should get serious about their weight problem.

This past year has seen Michele Obama lead the charge on childhood obesity.  Her anti-childhood obesity program, "Let's Move", is in its first year and slow, incremental progress has been made.  Her many appearances and speeches have elevated the discussion to an entirely new level.  Her leadership has compelled grocers, food and beverage companies and schools to take a long hard look at how to combat obesity among our children.

mcntalk.com

Like every First Lady endeavor, there are critics from every corner including those that believe that government has no business dictating any personal choice issues.  However, the alarm bells are going off throughout the country about our young people and the obesity problem.  It is clear that we must take action to help young people make good personal choices about their nutrition, exercise and health.  The anti-smoking campaign that has been on-going for years has made a difference and one hopes that obesity education will have similar results.

It is estimated that 300 million people worldwide are obese.  One in five children are obese in the United States which calculates to 12 million children.  Excess weight is linked to all kinds of health issues including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.  Any amount of weight loss, even small amounts help improve one's health.  Just this week, the American Medical Association announced that it supports annual educational instruction for public school children on obesity.

The AMA also reported that they support the idea of using revenue from taxes on sugar-sweetened sodas as one way to help pay for obesity-fighting education.  However, there is concern among some doctors that such a tax would be of a greater burden on the poor and disadvantaged.             

Americans in particular have become a sedentary bunch.   We sit in our chairs and recliners, eat chips, drink beer and eat fast-food out of convenience and necessity.  Our children follow our lead watching television, playing games on their game platforms and texting and talking on their cell phones.  Afternoon play has been relegated to television and games rather than outdoor adventure and activity. 

guardian.co.uk

Educational programs involving children encouraging healthy eating habits and good nutrition along with exercise and play is the beginning of turning around the obesity problem.  Making inroads in this one area of health will go a long way toward reducing our nation's long-term health care costs.