Friday, May 28, 2004

The Way We Eat Now

Read this disturbing article on the rapidly growing problem of obesity in the United States. Here is a really depressing quote:

"[Steven Gortmaker, professor of society, human development, and health at the School of Public Health,] notes that on any given day, 30 percent of American children aged four to 19 eat fast food, and older and wealthier ones eat even more. Overall, 7 percent of the U.S. population visits McDonald's each day, and 20 to 25 percent eat in some kind of fast-food restaurant."

We are killing ourselves and our children! The problem appears to be related primarily to development and national wealth, so as other countries grow and increase their GDP they are experiencing similar problems with health and nutrition.

Check out these obesity maps that show the increase in obesity in the United States over the last 20 years.

I honestly we are facing an epidemic and a national health crisis. This is one of the many reasons our medical insurance and health system is so insufficient--it is being stretched too thin by preventable health problems.

Let's all run, walk, bike, swim, whatever, and teach our family and friends how to live a long and healthy life!