Why America Has Such A Cronic Obesity Problem? And What Must Be Done

To answer that question a lot of factors are involved that took years to create. Forty years ago the population of the United States was more active in that most of the schools from elementary through High School required Physical Education as an internal part of the schools curriculum. The mandatory Physical Education in schools was scheduled daily where students took part in rigorous exercises. There was also the Presidents Health and Fitness programs that schools participated in and rewarded students for excelling in this program. Today there is only one state that stills mandates Physical Education daily as apart of the schools curriculum.

All after school activities and sports were free and generally accessible by most students. At that time there was sufficient tax revenue to afford these programs unlike today where the after school activities and sports cost the parents and in most cases are too costly for their children to partake in. The economic situation today and schools elimiination of physical education programs in their curriculum have encouraged the growing absence of regular exercise that is so important to curb obesity. So today while many children that want and need regular exercise and would like to participate in after school activities can no longer afford to, or are able too.

With the advent of modern technology has had mixed blessings on our population. While they make things more readily available they have encouraged at least two generations of the population to avoid any type of physical activity which also contributes to the growing health concerns of the United States. The many diets that are advertised now, most just don't' work simply because the fail to address the real problem. The many people who try to follow these quick and easy programs only to realize that they don't work is not the answer to what should have been a complete lifestyle change that is so necessary for a healthy and active lifestyle.

The United States was a largely a manufacturing economy back those forty years ago which means those employed were more physically active as part of their jobs; which meant that most were avoiding being over weight. Companies also encouraged participating in their social activities where many active pursuits were available for the whole family. Now the United States has shifted from our once strong manufacturing base economy to one of service and technology. The population as a whole doesn't have the readily available physical activity that came with the manufacturing jobs to now one of more sedentary ones. This has greatly increase the populations chances of becoming more obese.

Now the challenge before us lies how to stop and reduce the number of youth and adults from becoming severely overweight and avoid the massive health costs that are associated with obesity. That old saying " An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is most apropos'. To prevent the majority of the United States population from becoming overweight our youth must be given the opportunities that encourage healthy and active lives. This starts with our educational systems. They have to mandate health and physical education at all grade levels through high school on a daily basis. They have to find ways to fund after school activities and sport programs so that any child that wants to participate in those programs will be able to without the worry of how to afford them. Having our educational system emphasize healthy lifestyles and increased physical activity our youth will become more health conscious and begin a lifestyle of health and fitness and in this way avoid most of the diseases that are associated with being overweight.

The President's Health and Fitness program that was so successful when President Kennedy established it must be re established using similar guidelines and require all schools to participate in. A national emphasis must be placed at all levels of education on the benefits of proper nutrition, health and physical education in the prevention of disease and of their importance not only in children but for the adults who will now be more productive in their jobs and lives. This is a win win solution to the elimination of obesity here in the United States.

Industry to must step up to the plate to encourage and reward employees who avoid the pitfalls of being overweight and participate in regular physical activity whether it be through companies own fitness programs or through their insurance programs through riders that will cover the expense of health and fitness memberships. Companies know that productivity and quality of goods and services is directly proportional to employees health, state of mind and fitness. So the bottom line is directly influenced by the health of each employee. It only makes perfect sense for companies to include health and fitness an internal part of doing business. Through these initiatives the United States will curb the rising rate of individuals who are over-weight and stave off a major epidemic of diseases that are associated with a society that is obese.