Fit for Life: Attention! It’s an Epidemic!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
This country is facing an obesity epidemic. Around 1/3 of the US population is now considered obese. Along with obesity comes a whole chain reactive ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and other psychological problems like depression, which leads to the over use of prescription medication, and a broken health care system. So why is this happening? Do we not know? Who is responsible; who do we hold accountable?
Let's blame companies.
Yes, that’s the easy thing to do – let’s blame companies that make toxic dyes and chemically made colors that go into most breakfast cereals and bottled drinks, or the marketing companies that do test after test and figure out ways to get kids addicted to these food and drink? Then there are the makers of Ritalin, that have a cure for the ADHD and neurological damage caused by above such chemicals, and then there are doctors too eager to prescribe meds, rather than preach healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced nutrition and exercise. Or we could blame the makers of all these cheap vegetable oils that are in 90% of all commercially manufactured food. This is the stuff high in omega 6 fatty acids, the stuff responsible for high LDL (bad) cholesterol. Then we can blame the industrial farmers that are mistreating and raising animals in inhumane conditions, feeding them garbage and other forms of cheap corn and soy based feed to fatten them up faster. How about the government? Should they be accountable for our health? They are the ones, after all, that allow these things to happen legally. They allow the lobbyists to get these laws that inform the public about what's in products, vetoed. They let this stuff enter our food supply, turning a blind eye to these mega industrial food manufacturers, all for profits and bottom lines. So who is accountable?
Look in the mirror.
That's right, it's you. We all need to be accountable for our own health. No one else can do it for you. The majority of our environment is against us. Supermarkets are lined with colorful products full of sugar to addict us. Fast food on every corner, electronic devices to keep us indoors - it's an endless battle and only the strong and determined will survive. Just because the stuff is out there, it is your responsibility to avoid it. Just because a vehicle is capable of speeds of 160 mph, is the manufacturer accountable if you crash at this speed? No, it is up to you to take responsibility. I ask if there weren't any health insurance, and you had to pay the doctor yourself, would you still abuse your body? Chances are you wouldn't. So let's not blame big food or big pharma, fast food chains, or the big gulp. Don't blame the government, or canola oil. No need to attend a ban Monsanto rally, just be accountable for your own health, take care of yourself by eating quality organic whole food, get plenty of exercise, and eventually all the bad stuff won't be able to survive. If you don't know how, or can't do it alone, hire a coach. The odds are against us, but the underdog never quits. Good health is attainable, but nobody can do it for you. Take accountability and live well!
Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt:[email protected], check out his website at http://www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.
Related Slideshow: New England’s Healthiest States
The United Health Foundation recently released its 2013 annual reoprt: America's Health Rankings, which provides a comparative state by state analysis of several health measures to provide a comprehensive perspective of our nation's health issues. See how the New England states rank in the slides below.
Definitions
All Outcomes Rank: Outcomes represent what has already occurred, either through death, disease or missed days due to illness. In America's Health Rankings, outcomes include prevalence of diabetes, number of poor mental or physical health days in last 30 days, health disparity, infant mortality rate, cardiovascular death rate, cancer death rate and premature death. Outcomes account for 25% of the final ranking.
Determinants Rank: Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population. For clarity, determinants are divided into four groups: Behaviors, Community and Environment, Public and Health Policies, and Clinical Care. These four groups of measures influence the health outcomes of the population in a state, and improving these inputs will improve outcomes over time. Most measures are actually a combination of activities in all four groups.
Diabetes Rank: Based on percent of adults who responded yes to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?" Does not include pre-diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Smoking Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are current smokers (self-report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke).
Obesity Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/
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