I can haz nother cheezburger: Part II

I understand that people aren’t just going to jump up and start eating less and exercising because some wack-job on a little read blog says it’s the right thing to do. I also don’t see many politicians brave enough to “stab the free market in the back” and ban fast food restaurants like recently happened in Los Angeles. However, the government can leave the blessed free market alone and help jumpstart the economy with the old carrot and stick approach.

Consider the plan that Alabama’s State Employee Insurance Board recently approved that will require state employees with a body mass considered overly obese to pay an additional $25 for their health insurance. Surely this is a “stick” approach and as is to be expected, many employees have complained. However, this “stick” could easily be turned into a “carrot” by rewarding employees below the obesity level with a $25 discount.

Another option might be tied to taxes or stimulus payments. With the shape of our economy looking downright anorexic, politicians have been attempting to feed it with stimulus payments and tax breaks. It hasn’t seemed to have helped much but those fighting to be the next president have kept the idea alive and it’s possible Americans will see more money or tax breaks coming down the pipeline. Why not connect a portion of this money/tax breaks to physical fitness in that $100 of it must be used for gym memberships, smoking cessation programs or something similar.

My dream would be for state and local governments to work together to create a system of community centers with gyms, classrooms and athletic fields that could be used for a fee based on a sliding scale of income. Not all of these centers need be brand spanking new facilities. Instead include community colleges, high schools and elementary schools that have the proper facilities and staff them with student trainers overseen by a more experienced certified trainer. Have a nurse and a nutritionist available a few times a week and bring in local farmer’s markets to sell locally grown produce.

Of course this is all a pipedream, but these few ideas I’ve thrown out illustrate that there are many ways to approach America’s obesity epidemic. By offering people easily accessible and cheap options you increase the likelihood that health will begin to take a bigger role in their life thus saving me and the rest of the country money.

Clickity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZEtB_x_bg

Guilty dog

I can haz nother cheezburger: Part I

A new study released this last Tuesday by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that adult obesity rates continue growing in 37 states. So unlike other jokes that target nationalities, the one the rest of the world tells about the US being a bunch of fatties is no longer a joke, it’s true.

According to the F as in Fat 2008 report “more than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states” and nationwide over 16 percent of children are considered obese. Think about that for a second…that’s a lot of people, literally and figuratively! (Booyah! Of course, I kid.)

Now, I’m not an obese person hater. I can’t be because I have friends and family who are more than likely considered obese and I love them….well, most of them. However, this trend still alarms me because it’s costing me money and contributing to the economic decline of our country. More importantly, in 99.9 percent of cases, with a little sweat and personal responsibility, it’s preventable.

Here’s how it all comes together:

- Obesity and being overweight are contributing factors to 20 chronic diseases
- By definition chronic diseases last for a long time. Hence, they require numerous visits with a doctor
- Because of that, more than a quarter of the nations’ health care costs are related to obesity and physical inactivity
- Health insurance and government assistance cover much of the nations’ health care costs
- When insurance companies pay more, they charge their customers more (my premiums and co-pay charges rise) and when more tax dollars head to health care it’s less money for education, technology, aid, etc.
- Obesity can be “cured” with physical activity (which is free) and by eating better (this is complicated and is tied in with government but one thing is for sure, eating less is free)

Although the problem is growing (pun intended) and almost seems insurmountable when you look at the current numbers, I don’t think it’s hopeless. Check back for the next blog update where I’ll suggest some possible solutions.

Now go take a walk.

Linkity: http://www.nicecritic.com/

Send a helpful message to a friend or co-worker.