You're Not Wrong, It's Pretty Bad!!!

Towards the end of last month, You’re Not Wrong, It’s Politics featured an editorial regarding the American obesity epidemic which called for increased federal attention to a growing problem (no pun intended). “Obesity needs to be identified as a key public health priority for the United States,” seeing as, “more than one-third of the United States population has been declared obsessed or overweight.” Knowing that statistic, it certainly is alarming to consider that the scope of the problem could truly be considered an epidemic. However, as YNWIP mentions, “government policies and programs regarding this problems have been implemented...clinical guidelines, nutrition labeling, social marketing and calorie labeling,” yet, “obesity reduction requires changes to not only improve the food but to also improve physical activity.” 

The executive branch has had some success with Let’s Move, a public program stewarded by First Lady Michelle Obama which promotes youth health via federal and community programs; disseminating diet and fitness information as well as lobbying for policy change in local governments. This is more than a good start, and the First Lady has certainly made admirable steps towards fighting obesity, but...to use the ultimate editorial cliche...is it enough?

Providing children with the means to live an active lifestyle fueled by a healthy diet is one thing; changing the rest of society’s habits is another. America needs healthy seniors as much as healthy children, since often poor health can exponentially worsen one’s lifespan as they age. In the Medicare market, certain plans have begun to offer incentives such as paid gym membership to their enrollees, but senior’s recognition or use of these programs is still up for debate. There is also the matter of modern convenience, often provided by new technology, which enters into the equation. If the public is, by and large, adapting to a technology aided lifestyle which decreases their need for mobility or exercise, we’ll need a lot more than promoting jumping jacks to turn that ship around. 

You’re Not Wrong is not wrong: the obesity epidemic needs a higher profile, particularly on the national level. Let’s just hope we make it one before we get too weighed down to bother.