Jon Stanton

My good friend and fellow Joy Fit Club member, Jodi Davis, wrote an excellent blog on her site today. I've copied the text and have listed it below. It's time for America to wake up and take responsibility for what our lifestyle choices are doing to us. We've done it with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco - IT'S TIME TO DO IT WITH FOOD.

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"Together, We Can End America's Obesity Epidemic" by Jodi Davis, from www.walkytalk.com

When I read the statistics on our nation's obesity epidemic, I just shake my head and wonder... I wonder if people really "are concerned," causing them to want to make the necessary lifestyle changes; or, if they feel this epidemic doesn't affect them, and simply "shrug off" this so-called problem? Unfortunately, I think the answer to that question is the one I don't want to hear...

Were you aware that ADULT obesity rates increased in a total of 23 states and rates did not decrease in a single state in the past year?  Sadly, ADULT obesity rates now exceed 25% in 31 states and exceed 20% in 49 states.  Two-thirds of American ADULTS are either OBESE or OVERWEIGHT!  In 1991, not ONE SINGLE STATE had an obesity rate above 20% – look at the percentages today; yes, it’s sad.  And almost thirty years ago, back in 1980, the national average for adult obesity was at 15% – yes, the numbers are changing, but not the way we want them to.  When I hear individuals make the comment that they think this epidemic doesn’t affect them, I want to look them straight in the eye and inform them they need to “think again”!

With percentages like this, don’t think that the obesity epidemic doesn’t affect everyone!  I understand that one-third of American adults are NOT obese or overweight, but I know that each of those individuals has a relative, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who IS.  I was included in these numbers, part of the obesity epidemic, weighing close to 300 pounds and considered morbidly obese.  I realized that I could no longer “shrug off” my obesity – I had to make the necessary lifestyle changes, so I did.

But there are millions of individuals who continue to feel as though this epidemic doesn’t affect them; even more-so, that it doesn’t affect their children.  But IT IS affecting our children… just take a look at the students in any school hallway, you’ll see.  What bothers me the most is that the adults in the lives of these children often contribute to the obesity epidemic, without even realizing it. 

How, you may wonder?  Well, it’s not done intentionally, but it’s happening all the time.  For instance, the other day the students of a particular classroom were told that if their parents came into school for “teacher/parent conference night,” then they would receive a donut the next morning.  No big deal, right?  But I want you to think about this for a minute… first, yes I realize that this was a nice gesture, and no harm was intended, obviously.  But let’s just say that the teacher was… oh, let’s say Jillian or Bob from NBC’s The Biggest Loser show.  Jillian and Bob realize how important a healthy lifestyle is and I know they wouldn’t want to offer a sugary, high-calorie donut as a reward to children!  These “sugary” food items are used by individuals who desire these items themselves… to me, Jillian, and Bob they are not a reward at all, we don’t want them!  Just like a person who smokes may want to reward me with a cigarette – they themselves desire cigarettes, so they feel that cigarettes are a wonderful treat, receiving one will make me happy… wrong!

But we, as a nation, are in the habit of rewarding good behavior, along with celebrating any and all events, with sugary, high-calorie FOOD.  Why is that?  I know that I was once that way myself, because it was a bad habit, one I had to break.  I don’t use “junk food” as a reward anymore, I found healthy and delicious alternatives.  You can do this too!  Yes, it may just be one single step, but it is a crucial FIRST STEP, one that must be taken and will eventually lead to another – and another – and ANOTHER! 

It’s time to end the obesity epidemic, and believe me when I say: IT’S UP TO ALL OF US!