Download I think it is common knowledge at this point that obesity rates are at

Stop Obesity
by Faun Rubert, CFT
I think it is common knowledge at this point that obesity rates are at an all time high and
continue to rise. With this, however our image of what overweight is has changed
significantly. Even the clothing industry has been changing as these statistics rise, making
sizes bigger than before. It makes it difficult to have a good grasp on what it means to be
obese. I help people get healthier for a living; this usually involves losing weight. I think
people are often shocked to learn that they are obese. We say things like “big-boned”, “large
build” or “stocky”. In some cases that may be true, but oftentimes people are simply
overweight. To be obese your body fat must be at or above 25% for a male and 32% for a
female. This is common now days and is affecting all populations.
This very serious health issue has plagued our youth. According to the Centers for Disease
Control, in 2006 nearly 1 in 3 children were overweight. This is triple what it was 30 years
ago. Obesity is killing us. The risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly with
excess body weight. Other correlated conditions include, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis,
high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, type 2 diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep
and respiratory issues, some cancers, problems with menstruation, complications with
pregnancy, incontinence, and depression.
Between 1998 and 2000 it was reported that adult diagnosed obesity cost the state of
Michigan almost 3 billion dollars. We can change this around. We have got to make our
children’s health a priority. It is up to us as caregivers. It is our responsibility to make sure
that kids are eating the right amount food, the right kinds of food, and are engaged in
physical activity whether they are home, at day care or at school.
Our children are less active today than ever before. Give your kids opportunities to engage
in physical activity. Sign them up for a class or to be on a sports team. Get outside with
them and play or go for walks. Make it mandatory that they go outside for a set amount of
time each day and limit the amount of time that they are on the computer, watching television
and playing video games.