Scary Statistic

Here is a sobering fact.  I read an interesting article recently that stated that in about 18 years from now 42% of Americans will be obese.  It seems like far away and in some respects it is, but it really isn’t but the good news is that it allows us time to make changes.  Obesity is a growing (pardon the pun) problem in this country and will increase the amount we spend on health care for things like diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and associated illnesses that come along with those things.  While the pharmaceutical industry is licking their lips with anticipation, the issue is a really serious one and one that can be changed.  We all must have the will power to make it happen.

First and foremost, we have to stop eating processed foods, especially foods with high fructose corn syrup.  We have to campaign with our wallets and purchase fresh food with ingredients we can pronounce.  If we demand the food industry will deliver.  We need to demand that people on social programs providing dollars, are able to purchase good food that is not processed.  We need to teach them to cook and perhaps to garden and grow their own foods.  We need to teach our children what to eat and what not to eat and teach them not to be swayed by Captain Crunch and others.

The municipality where I live now is one of lower economic means and we have just begun to introduce a community garden partnering with a local church to hold cooking lessons.  We got a huge contribution in the form of extra vegetables from a local gardener and will be kicking off a grand opening in two weeks.  Many communities in this country are doing the same so there is hope that this trend can be turned around.  We need to attack it nutritionally, naturally, and knowingly so that more and more people can work towards a healthier future.