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| American Teens Weigh In On World Scales - Teen Obesity Epidemic through Childhood |
| Posted by Dr. Aaron Hinde, D.C. on Tuesday, 11th April 2006 at 4:41PM
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I wish I could report that the movie “Supersize Me” has shocked our nation into some sense of reality concerning our health. I wish I could report that obesity in our teen population was on the decline; that American teens were among the most fit in all industrialized nations. Unfortunately, I cannot.
A recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reports the exact opposite. American teens are the fattest in the world. The study found “U.S. teens were more likely than those in other countries to eat fast food, snacks, and sugary sodas and were more likely to be driven to school and other activities, contributing to a more sedentary lifestyle.” The study also found that nearly one-third of U.S. teens eat fast food on any given day.
Early Disease, Disability and Even Death for the New Generation
The prevalence of childhood obesity is rising rapidly, and so are the medical and economic implications including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. A recent Italian study found that overweight children were more likely to have high blood pressure than normal weight children. An article in the October issue of Diabetes Care links childhood obesity with premature vascular changes such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and even carotid artery thickening.
Fatter teens are leading to fatter young adults. A Rand Corporation study has found the number of Americans ages 30-49 who could not care for themselves or perform routine tasks increased by more than half from 1984-2000, with obesity thought to be the main culprit.
We all have been made aware of the solution to this expanding problem, yet, judging by the numbers, few of us have been practicing it. There is no mystery pill. There is no effective fad diet. A balanced diet with good nutrition and consistent exercise are the only proven, long term, effective means to slim down this problem. We have been taking in too many calories and not expending enough.
It’s time to take control of our passions. Eating in excess is a passion. Some of the early church fathers even call it the “doorway to all passions”.
Curbing this passion takes time and discipline. I know what your thinking. It’s easier to take the kids to McDonalds than to actually prepare a nutritious meal. There’s no time to cook or plan my families’ meals. The gym is too expensive. I have to work all day. My kids won’t behave unless they get a “Happy Meal”. They will start screaming in the grocery store if they don’t get the sugarcoated cereal. Excuses, excuses, excuses. We are going to excuse ourselves to an early grave.
I went to the funeral of a childhood friend this weekend. He died before his 30th birthday. Funerals are always sad, especially when it happens to someone so young, with so much life yet to live, so much potential. Our society will have to start getting used to the idea of burying our young if we don’t get control of the obesity epidemic.
The first thing I challenge you to do is to look in the mirror. If we are overweight as parents, what type of example does that set for our children? What type of food do you buy when you go to the grocery store? Do you allow your children to throw in the case of soda, the junk food cereals, or sneak in a few candy bars?
If self-control and self-discipline were as abundant as soda machines we’d be in good shape. We can take the approach of blaming our bad genetics, blaming the media, blaming the school lunch program, blaming everyone and everything regarding our present state of health. Or, we can take the road much less traveled and blame ourselves for our current predicament. If we take responsibility of our dietary habits, our lack of exercise, our children’s weight problems, then, the ball is in our court and we can actually do something about it.
I challenge each of you as parents, as responsible young adults and as teens. Lets take responsibility for our own health. Lets take responsibility for the health of our families. Open up your refrigerators this weekend and throw out all the junk food. Clean out the pantry and get rid of the sugary sedators. Get off the couch. Turn off the television. Put the Playstation away. Avoid the fast food drive-thru. Get outside. Go for a walk. We live in a beautiful community, let take advantage of it.
I spoke with John, the owner of World Gym, Scotts Valley this morning and he has agreed to give anyone who mentions this article a free 2-week pass to try out the gym. Now you have no excuses. The problem will not go away on its own. The time to change is now. Lets get together as individuals responsible for our own health, as families, and as a community to move toward healthier, happier lifestyles.
Doctor Hinde is a local Chiropractor at Hinde Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Scotts Valley.
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