EDITORIAL: The Truth About Obesity

By Lindsay White, Rachel LeGros, and Jimmy Angell

“This might be the first generation where kids are dying at a younger age than their parents and it's related primarily to the obesity problem.” This is a bold quote from Australian actress Judy Davis, but she is entirely right. There are many factors that increase the rate of childhood obesity in the world, the USA primarily. Studies have shown that children who live near fast food establishments are more likely to be obese and children that are clumsy also have a greater chance of being overweight.

According to the World Health Organization, there are more than one billion overweight adults, with more than 300 million of them being obese. Since these adults are setting the example for the next generations, they put the future’s health at risk. Parents are allowing their kids to run their own diets when they really do not have an idea of what is healthy and what is fattening. For example, families who are always on the go do not have time for a sit-down dinner, so the children are forced to make their own eating decisions, and usually do not pick the most nutritious foods.

Another factor that leads to obesity is lack of exercise. It is suggested that you exercise at least thirty minutes each day so you can burn the calories that you have consumed over the course of the day. Exercise is also important because it will keep you at a healthy weight. But exercise is not always enough. You also need to eat healthy to see results in weight loss.

If we do not act now, the obesity rate will keep increasing. Do what you can to eat healthy and exercise daily. The choices you make are the ones that effect your life and family.