by Betty Blake

Created on: August 11, 2010

The American Heart Association (AMA) and other health bodies have reported that the obesity rate has escalated tremendously in the last few years. The fact is that the obesity epidemic is real. Millions are overweight or living with obesity in America and all over the globe. The sad thing is that, this disease also affects teens and the younger generation. Studies carried out by health authorities state that many children will not outlive their parents.

We are slowly killing ourselves with our sedentary lifestyles. A generation ago, our parents used to be more active. We often hear them tell us of walking to and from school. Physical education was an important part of the curriculum. Today, very few schools offer time for recess where kids can venture outdoors and be active with their peers. Children are absorbed with their high tech toys. They waste time texting hundreds of messages on their phones, playing video games instead of meeting one another on the outskirts to play a ball game. Of course, parents are no different. Spare time is spent on blackberries and other Iphones, and catching up with social media like Facebook and Twitter. Clearly, the new normalcy is to spend hours on the internet and watch television while the waist-lines expand.

Another reason for the increase in the obesity rate is that the everyday foods are loaded with high amounts of sodium, sugar, frutose sugar, and saturated fats. It does not help that fast foods are widely available at every corner in neighborhoods. The foods are fairly cheap, quick, convenient, and addictive. However, we all pay for the downside. A diet that comprises of these types of foods ultimately leads to hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and other obesity related illnesses.  Because of obesity, the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes have greatly increased in numbers. In years gone back it was unheard of for a teeenger to be afflicted with Type 2 diabetes unless it was Type 1.

The size of our dinner plates have also grown considerably which only leads to bigger portions. A visit to a nice restaurant, a diner is been offered a meal that can actually feed three persons. Just a few cents sometimes will allow you to supersize a meal at the fastfood joints. Clearly, overeating has become an epidemic. And, with all the illnesses affiliated with obesity, the figures for healthcare insurance is grown astronomically each year.

Government healthcare bodies and other related groups have noticed this epidemic and have been cohesively  working to make changes. As a result, the food pyramid have altered to include more servings of fruits and vegetables.The First Lady, Michele Obama has made it her platform to encourage healthy eating habits by planting a fruit and vegetable garden. Some schools cafeterias and vending machines have better choices of foods like milk and water. The drink companies have removed some of the sugar content. Ex-President, Bill Clinton and Rachel Wray have teamed up with different groups to encourage better eating habits for children.

Therefore, it is no hype; the obesity situation is real and requires urgent attention. We can all do our parts by being active on a daily basis, consume wholesome meals that include copious amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It is posible to reverse this epidemic.

Learn more about this author, Betty Blake.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.