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Without making this post about politics (go to the huffington post or drudgereport if you want to blog about politics) but more about what our government can do about childhood obesity I will say that I think this initiative is a step in the right direction. Being somewhat of a constitionalist I still hold onto the belief that we the people our the government, but Im digressing a bit. Lets get to this initiative, "Lets Move", which hopes to end childhood obesity in our country. A pretty lofty goal but hell why not go for it?!
As more and more healthy people (people who exercise, eat right, and manage stress)come to the realization that they are fronting the costs of lifestyle diseases (diabetes, heart disease to an extent, some cancers, etc costs an approximate $147,000,000,000 A YEAR towards our health care!!!)I feel that this will create social pressure similar to what cigarette smoking has become. Point blank obesity isn't cool nor do I think it ever was. The new initiative will bring grocery stores to the inner city, make places like convienence stores carry healthy food, update the childhood nutrition act, and work with groups interested in promoting childrens health. All this sounds great but I still have some reservations.
My biggest reservation is that it's going to be government run! I know I did say I wasn't going to make this political, but either democratic or republican run I think we know what happens. First the government says it will need 90 days to study the problem and then make recommendations. Are you serious? Study the problem? Our nation is huge! I think the president's cabinet should make a trip to Disney World and just observe the obese parents feeding their obese children to see where this problem mainly lies. Anyway more studies won't solve this huge issue personal responsibilty will.
This brings me to education and the root of this problem. Mainly that obesity in many ways has become a socio-economic issue, with the poorer neighborhoods not investing in their childrens health. The best thing the government can do is to immediately make health education, physical education, and basic nutrition education a REQUIRED course in not only our schools but in adult commuity centers as well! In fact I'll go so far as to say when a person with a lifestyle disease needs medication then they should pay a tax out of pocket that goes towards our childrens future. If the President is going to invest $10 billion over the next decade then it's my belief that most of this cash should go toward our schools and communities in order to try to prevent the next generation of America's children, rich or poor, from growing up obese in the first place. I certianly remember with clarity that smoking was not a good thing when I was growing up. The fear that was instilled in me at an early age proved to be a very successful mechanism for me growing up. The same can be done with nutrition and physical activity today. FEAR is not a bad thing!
Ultimately personal responsibility needs to be displayed by the parents of our great country. Once this happens then I think we can start to truly solve this problem until then no matter how much money is directed towards this issue it will never be solved.
As more and more healthy people (people who exercise, eat right, and manage stress)come to the realization that they are fronting the costs of lifestyle diseases (diabetes, heart disease to an extent, some cancers, etc costs an approximate $147,000,000,000 A YEAR towards our health care!!!)I feel that this will create social pressure similar to what cigarette smoking has become. Point blank obesity isn't cool nor do I think it ever was. The new initiative will bring grocery stores to the inner city, make places like convienence stores carry healthy food, update the childhood nutrition act, and work with groups interested in promoting childrens health. All this sounds great but I still have some reservations.
My biggest reservation is that it's going to be government run! I know I did say I wasn't going to make this political, but either democratic or republican run I think we know what happens. First the government says it will need 90 days to study the problem and then make recommendations. Are you serious? Study the problem? Our nation is huge! I think the president's cabinet should make a trip to Disney World and just observe the obese parents feeding their obese children to see where this problem mainly lies. Anyway more studies won't solve this huge issue personal responsibilty will.
This brings me to education and the root of this problem. Mainly that obesity in many ways has become a socio-economic issue, with the poorer neighborhoods not investing in their childrens health. The best thing the government can do is to immediately make health education, physical education, and basic nutrition education a REQUIRED course in not only our schools but in adult commuity centers as well! In fact I'll go so far as to say when a person with a lifestyle disease needs medication then they should pay a tax out of pocket that goes towards our childrens future. If the President is going to invest $10 billion over the next decade then it's my belief that most of this cash should go toward our schools and communities in order to try to prevent the next generation of America's children, rich or poor, from growing up obese in the first place. I certianly remember with clarity that smoking was not a good thing when I was growing up. The fear that was instilled in me at an early age proved to be a very successful mechanism for me growing up. The same can be done with nutrition and physical activity today. FEAR is not a bad thing!
Ultimately personal responsibility needs to be displayed by the parents of our great country. Once this happens then I think we can start to truly solve this problem until then no matter how much money is directed towards this issue it will never be solved.
Great post Matt! I couldn't agree more. Obesity, and especially childhood obesity, is a national problem. Staying fit is not only good for our health, but good for our nation as well!
ReplyDeleteIts a national problem, state problem, and a local problem. I feel that we need societal pressure that being fat (and doing nothing about it) is unacceptable and is causing a gigantic strain on our healthcare system.
ReplyDelete