Between the couch and the potato chips
Hey, Fatso. Want to make some money? Heres a
sure-fire method: Get off the couch and go for a walk.
Think the name "Fatso" is rudely misapplied? Look in the mirror,
get on a scale and measure your body fat. Thats rude.
Americans are the richest people in the world. We are up to our hips in
food. We spend more on health care than any country in the world. And, we are the
worlds fattest citizens.
The numbers tell the tale.
The National Institutes of Health estimate that 97 million American
adults55 percent of the adult populationare overweight or obese. Kids are
getting fatter, too.
Obesity increased from 13percent of the population to 22.5 percent between
1960 and 1994, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Waistlines grew most in the 1990s.
Why? Heres a clue: National surveys show that just 23 percent of
Americans engage in light to moderate physical activity five or more times per week. That
leaves most of usthe other 77 percentsomewhere between the couch and the
potato chip bag.
In the midst of this national sit-in, we annually face the awful increase
in medical bills and medical insurance. Businesses and families are squeezed harder every
year. Government, physicians and insurance companies are bickering about whos
responsible. Patients blame them all.
Its time to stop blaming and look in the mirror.
Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk of developing high
blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease,
osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and certain cancers. The cost of
treating obesity related disease approaches $100 billion annually, says NIH.
Hold the jelly donuts, please.
Increases in the costs of Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance produce
a lot of podium pounding in Washington D.C., but little else. Good health doesnt
pay.
There are no tax deductions for fitness programs for people of any age.
Physical education programs in public schools are getting the ax nationwide. Idahos
infinitely wise Legislature, squirreled away its millions from the tobacco settlement last
year instead of spending it on health programs.
When it comes to health care costs, Americans are looking through the
wrong end of the microscope. Despite all the evidence, we seem to believe in the
impossiblehealth without fitness.
If we dont get a grip on our expanding waistlines, we will find
ourselves like Humpty Dumpty. When the fat catches up with us, all the kings horses
and all the kings men will not put Humpty together again.
So, ride a bike, take a hike, do a little gardening. Do something,
anything. Cant spare the time? Too busy working or raising a family? Think again.
Exercise pays. Its cheaper than insurance, cheaper than hospital bills and a lot
more fun than being in one.