| Sensible diet prevents obesity! Healthy living prevents most diseases! (Unfortunately, old age is not a disease.) These truths should be self evident. Yet recent shock headlines tell us that "medical problems caused by obesity are costing U.S. tax payers $75 billion per year". The human body is a biological machine. We all know that overloading a mechanical machine can cause it to break down, yet we allow ourselves to overload our hearts, joints, and more. Moderate exercise helps "tune up" the machines we live in. Think about it. Many injuries are a direct consequence of being over weight and under exercised! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us, "Seven of 10 deaths, or more than 1.7 million each year, are caused by chronic diseases." and that the major risk factors for chronic diseases are "tobacco use, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity" with "Obesity is a major contributor to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and some types of cancer. Recent estimates suggest that obesity is associated with 300,000 deaths annually, second only to tobacco related deaths." "Type 2 diabetes, a major consequence of obesity, has also reached epidemic proportions over the last 10 years." In fact, "adult onset diabetes" is increasing among teens and pre adolescents. Apparently the CDC thinks the commercial food industry does a better job on shaping pub-2403258503801684lic opinion than do family discussions. Therefore, they are sponsoring pub-2403258503801684lic school initiatives to help children, and their parents, become better educated. If you have access to the internet, you don't have to wait for the CDC education programs. Do your own news watch and research. "Greedy drug companies" have been blamed for our rising health care cost. Perhaps we should look to ourselves for part of the cause. Want some help on getting started? Read "Easy Health Diet" by Dr. Donald A. Miller. This includes tips for on-line research, as well as much diet and health information, with sources. ** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. ** |
2007/07/17
Truths about Diet, Obesity, and $75 Billion
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Thank you so much for this reminder that we need to look at ourselves. With the current obesity epidemic it seems everything we read blames someone. TV, schools, the fast-food industry, video games, junk food etc.
The problem with blaming is that it relinquishes those with the problem (excess weight) from responsibility, and leaves those who are blamed on the defense.
While fast-food fare deserves an evaluation (perhaps portion sizes should at least be reduced to those found in most European countries), if we are going to see any hault to our growing waistlines, Americans are going to need to limit their intake and increase their exercise.
For those who say they do not have the time, think of a study released last winter. In that study, of all forms of exercise, "domestic exercise" showed the greatest reduction in breast cancer. Getting off the couch and washing a few windows does not cost a penny, and can save money for those who hire out for help. For those who struggle with portion size and feel hungry, try out a few recipes put forth by the American Institute for Cancer Research (www.aicr.org). These recipes are designed to leave you full (they use a proportion as much as portion with less calorie dense foods), and they are delicious!
Lynne Eldridge MD
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
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