“…over the next two decades, 13 states could have [obesity] rates above 60 percent and 39 states could have rates above 50 percent. Mississippi is on pace to have the highest obesity rate at 66.7 percent…”
-September 18, 2012|By Dawn Turner Trice, Chicago Tribune reporter
I posted the article this quote is from yesterday on my Facebook page. I said something along the lines that I found these numbers to be incredible, as in unbelievable, as in it simply isn’t possible. Yet there they were. We are on track to having a quarter of our States with a large majority of their population obese, not just overweight mind you, obese; and nearly 80% of our States with a majority of their population obese. Two-thirds of the population of Mississippi on their way to a twilight riddled with preventable disease. The most frightening part? Colorado would come in as the most fit State in the Nation…with a 45% obesity rate. FORTY-FIVE PERCENT!!!
Despite what appears to be heightened awareness, the vast majority continue to live in denial…
This is insane!
In response to this flabbergasting news, I hear a lot of people talk about government mandates – having the government take over what we eat or drink a la Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to rid New York City of over-sized sugary drinks. Part of me wants to jump on that bandwagon. If people aren’t smart enough to take care of themselves, well then someone has to take care of them, right?
Wrong.
Although the government should take on some role, maybe from an educational position, or, a bit more radically, making healthy choices available in areas of low access, no amount of government intervention will correct the problem until we, the people, decide we want to make a change.
If there is one thing I have learned over the last few years of being asked for and then giving advice for healthy change, it’s that until a person is ready and willing to change, it ain’t gonna happen. Too many people want instant change; transformation in a bottle; abs and buns of steel in a pill. It takes work – not just at the gym, but in the choices of the fuel we choose, and if we ain’t ready and willing, change ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that we are shortening our lives, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you we’re increasing our cost of health care, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that we are killing our sex drive, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that we might not be able to stand at our child’s graduation, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that we might not be able to dance at our daughter’s or son’s wedding, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that we might get diabetes or cancer or suffer from heart disease, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I can tell you that due to our obesity we could lose a foot or a leg, but if we aren’t ready and willing, it ain’t gonna happen.
I could tell you that we are setting OUR children up to follow in our footsteps…
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…does that at least stop you for a moment? Does that make you think, maybe, just maybe, this report doesn’t have to be true? That we don’t have to condemn our children to a life of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and amputations? Is that what we want to leave our children? Is that what we want to be our legacy?
I know I don’t.
The habits our children pick up from birth to 18 come primarily from us, and once those habits are programmed into their brains, they are very, very difficult to break. Does that mean there’s no hope for a 30 year old woman with a lifetime of bad habits?
Heavens no!
But it is way more difficult for her than if she had been brought up with good habits all her life.
Change is hard, but it’s easier for our kids – and once those good habits are learned, the foundation of healthful living is set.
Do you know where it starts?
It starts with us. Yes, the government can help set some standards; they can do what they have to do to make healthier choices available to us; they can help educate the population about healthful eating; but in the end, it comes down to you and me.
Yes…us.
Just like every vote counts in an election, what WE choose to do over the next 20 years, 10 years, 5 years, 12 months, 6 months, 4 weeks, 7 days, 24 hours, 60 minutes, 60 seconds, can make a difference.
Nothing sets a better example for our children than our own behavior.
Nothing, NOTHING, convinces a company to change their ways better than our wallet.
Are you ready and willing?
Run Luau Run 
Well said, Luau. We face those issues in our household a lot. When my son was younger he was very active running, doing kids’ tris, etc., but as that diminished, he gained weight and succumbed much more to the lure of video and computer games. And the poor eating habits we had let ride when he was so active stayed along for the ride. It is definitely an uphill battle. And although we have SO MUCH room for improvement at our house, I agree the best foundation lies at home, in being good examples for our kids before they create lifelong vulnerabilities.
Its sad how ignorant most of the country is when it comes to understanding where their food comes from, nutrition, and exercise.
A lot of supermarkets and restaurants have a long way to go to catch up to the trend (hopefully becomes much more than a trend) of healthy, organic eating. Kroger has two aisles of organic and vegan items now.
Going out to eat with relatives in Southern Indiana can be downright scary to me as a vegan. Scores and scores of 100+ lb overweight folks loading up on red meat, gravy, fried foods, etc….
My oldest daughter has been a vegetarian for about three years now and my youngest is pretty good about eating fruit, but not so much vegetables.
It does start at home and it is the parents respectability to set good examples and to teach good lessons about eating and living healthy.
Well said. It is so noticable on the beach in the summer where we are heading as a country. Especially southern beaches. I can attest that it is up to the individual to want it enough to do it. I was a 5-6 days a week gym rat before kids. Sporadic exerciser for the next 6 years. Then one day I said maybe I’ll just give up now and be one of those 150 pound middle-age moms (who is only 5’1″). That stopped me, that I was almost willing to go there. And I was close to not being able to pick up my 4-year old “baby”. I said, I want the energy back, I want to still be able to pick up the kids. Waking up at 5am to work out is not exactly my cup of tea, but I know it’s the only time I have. I don’t mind at all when the kids get up and interrupt my workout. They ask me why I am doing my “extra-cises” and I tell them so I can be big and strong and healthy and keep up with them. Hopefully this instills the same attitude in them. And I can now lift my 40 pound boy all the way over my head. I feel alive again. Nutrition-wise, I will always have a sweet tooth. I eat healthy, but also crappy. Wish the body would recognize when I pass up the brownie, not just recognize when I eat one. Dr.Oz once put out a one day diet. I didn’t follow the diet, but I liked the attitude. Do it for one day. Then tomorrow you start it again. Every day is an accomplishment. Keep getting the word out!! (and keeping us going too.)
I love the one day plan idea! What ever it takes to keep you motivated and going. Runners play head games all the time to get to the finish line or just to finish a training run sometimes.
I just read an article on CNN that Mississippi has the highest poverty and lowest income in the nation. Also, our children are the first generation with a life expectancy less than that of their parents.