Oh, please don’t give me a hard time with that “tremendiosity” word, coined out in spur of a moment. The fact is that situation in the weight of this entire nation is at stake and is in grief condition.
In the projections done by Trust for America’s Health with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it is reported that every state would have its obesity rate above 44 percent by 2030. And Mississippi would lead the projection with its whapping 67 percent of adults being obese by 2030.
Fat Is Weighing On Your Health (Image Credit freedigitalphotos)
These numbers leave me speechless. It is more obvious today than it was 10 years ago that for the first time in history, we will be seeing children dying of the effects of obesity before their parents do. This is not my statement. It was made by World Health Organization about 10 years ago. The situation has become darker and more dangerous today.
Talking about overweight and obesity is important. The way we speak about it is important, too.
For the past 15 years, I have been taking an active interest in ways the public is presented with the topic on obesity. In the past decade, there was a huge leap in being more open and more straight forward with the public on how we talk about the subject.
In addition to making more facts available to an average person to ponder upon, the studies have been discovering some dirty truth about different contributing factors to obesity of this nation.
Antibiotics and Obesity
One is the effect of antibiotics on our gut bacteria. The studies are finding that the earlier in life we expose ourselves to antibiotics, the more probability that our microbiome (internal microbe communities that process food and regulate metabolism) will be in critical situation to develop the way it should. The babies exposed to a higher rate of antibiotics at an earlier age would become overweight and obese than those babies that had less antibiotics in their early days of life.
I am not against antibiotics per se. This is one of the facts that we need to have in mind as a society and as individuals to have a better perception of the situation.
BPA and Obesity
It’s not just lack of physical activity and dreadful diets that can be blamed on the obesity epidemic. One of the factors that has been linked to this problem is bisphenol A or BPA.
As this chemical accumulates in the body, it leads to disruption of the endocrine system and contributes to higher rates of obesity in those who have higher levels of BPA in their system.
The majority of companies have been eliminating BPA plastics in products for babies and kids. Thanks to that! Still, BPA is ever present in our living environment in liners of aluminum cans, food packaging, also in dental fillings and in coating thermal receipts used in stores. I keep my kiddo away from those store receipts!
Still, There’s Hope
Active Lifestyle, De-stressing, Whole Food Diet And Your Individual Desire To Be Fit – All That Shall Bring Your Waist Line To Norm, For You! (Image Credit freedigitalphotos)
I really would love to make the predictions by the Trust for America’s Health to skew downward, not upward.
What can we do as individuals to make a change in our weight situation?
It is a tough topic with no single solution. Still, everyone is responsible for their health and can and must contribute to their personal well-being.
What each and every one of us can do is take a sincere look at themselves and make a decision within for a fitter life today. It means at least a few simple things: like regular walks, whole foods in your diet – get at least one good colorful salad a day to start with! And yes, we need to de-stress, as stress hormones contribute to weight gain.
I hear you, I do. You may think it’s too much. Too drastic for you to do so.
Think again. About your family. About your personal comfort and health, and meaningful living.
One step a day. Just one small step that will bring inspiration into you life. And then you’ll take another step. Yes, you’ve got it!
I won’t be behind you, not ahead of you. I’ll be right next to you! Together and as individuals we can bring the obesity rates down with our consistency and tenacity to truly live this chance for life happily.
Celebrate Your Determination Today!
References:
“Infant antibiotic exposures and early-life body mass.” By L. Trasande, J. Blustein, M. Liu, E. Corwin, L.M. Cox and M.J. Blaser. International Journal of Obesity, 21 August 2012
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Women are heroes. They have always been heroes.
Being heroes, they hide their identity behind the costumes of everyday life. Hidden from view, doing daily deeds unseen by others, they allow others to shine – the bosses, the kids, the men, the parents, the friends in their lives.
I think amphetamine use is on the rise among girls because they do not want to give up their sedentary lifestyle of Television watching, video games and computer use, and yet they feel the pressure to be thin, so they will find the easiest fastest way to get there
An eye-catching post about the obesity epidemic we continue to struggle with…thanks for the hopeful reassurance that we are each capable (and responsible) for taking an active role in our own health!
I agree that obesity is a huge epidemic. I’ve struggled with weight issues my entire life, and even earlier in life, while trying to lose weight, struggled with eating disorders. I’ve tried changing my life around, but get tempted a lot. I really hope together everyone can support each other, and we can put an end to this, or at least cut back.
I am working on getting fit and healthier for my family.
That is scary!!!
When I was a kid, we played outside ALL the time. We rode bikes, Rollerbladed, played at the playground, played kickball etc. Now kids are so attached to their phones and computers they dont want to do anything. BUT they are learning that behavior from their parents!