Yeah, that headline will really grab your attention and it might even make you a little mad. I know it got under my skin when I actually saw it typed out on the computer screen. But sometimes we need to see and hear the tough stuff because it makes us think…I mean REALLY think about what’s going on in our lives.

Ok, here’s the skinny;

You’re probably aware that our country is in the middle of an obesity epidemic. And while we can’t open a newspaper or turn on a computer without a reminder, the problem is still continuing to grow.

I want to know why?

There was an article in a British newspaper, The Guardian, which stated that two-thirds of children and nine out of 10 adults will be obese by 2050 in the UK. As the statistical leader of this growing (pun intended) trend, what does that say about the United States?

Some critics say those numbers are quite inflated, but looking at even the most conservative numbers we all should be very concerned! Obesity rates across the country are staggering with some places exceeding 40 percent. That’s 40% of the people we know and love are not just overweight…they’re obese! That means that more than 30% of their body is made up of nasty fatty tissue that is literally killing them!

Estimated health care costs of this epidemic range in the billions of dollars. Life expectancy rates for our youngest generation are lower than those of their parents for the first time in recorded history.

Let me say that again, our children are expected to DIE younger than we will. Are you kidding me! Why are we not doing more to fix this problem? The solution is SO EASY but so many of us view it as some sort of unsolvable math equation  or as something that only the wealthy can change.

My response; “WHATEVER and WAKE UP because you’re killing yourself and your kids!”

The leader of the epidemic, the USA, has seen its status fall from one of the world’s healthiest countries to the least healthy country in the developed world. We’re far beyond a time when bickering about statistics and numbers even matters.

One look around at a mall, an airport, or a school tells us that things are NOT good . There is no longer a question of whether it needs national attention. We need to reverse this trend ASAP. But we can’t change what we don’t understand, so let’s examine the major questions and concerns we have about obesity. Then, we’ll take a look at what we can do about it.

So here’s what I’m going to do. Over the next five days I’m going to talk about how exercise and diet are both crucial in giving us (our kids included) happier, healthier, and longer lives. Then I’ll talk about why a healthy lifestyle isn’t just “for the rich”. From there I want to explain that being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean having a chiseled body. And, to wrap it all up, I’m going to give you five REALISTIC solutions for obesity.  You might be amazed at how simple these solutions can be!

Ok gang, it’s time to start healing ourselves and saving our kids. Get out there play and have some fun!

Look for that next post where I’ll talk about, “Diet Vs. Exercise”. Which one is more important?

Your Friend and Neighbor,

Chuck
 Chuck@imaginefitness.net
 www.ImagineFitness.net
 (608) 215-3205

Tags: childhood obesity, family health, health care costs, imagine fitness, Kid Fitness

This entry was posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:06 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Fat Loss Strategies Kid Fitness Lifestyle & Self Improvement Rants & Raves by Chuck 2 Comments