08 Aug Be Warned, Obesity is a Real Problem.
Be warned, I am going to be very direct in this article. It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room (no pun intended), which is obesity. Please understand it is not my intention to make anyone feel, bad but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t speak openly and honestly about the problems that fast food and obesity are causing for adults and our children.
This is a national problem on multiple levels, including economic and social. Obesity and all the health issues associated with it, represents one of the largest financial burdens on our health care system. A negative impact on our wallets due to expensive healthcare gets a nationwide reaction, but nothing is being done to prevent the problem in the first place.
Fast food corporations prey on people. The marketing techniques they use make it seem as though the $5 salad or turkey burger is a healthy choice. Do you really believe they could mass produce that salad with healthy greens instead of iceberg lettuce for the same price? Would you care to discuss the health benefits of the cheeses, processed meat products, croutons, and dressings they offer with these fast food wonders? And what about that turkey burger? Ground from the leanest cuts with no fillers, and low sodium, right? Let’s not forget the bun and special sauce that make it so delicious.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to several different countries in my life including, England, France, and Africa. In my experience, aside from France, nobody adores money and an appealing physique more than we do here in America. Obesity, however, paints a poor picture of Americans. We went from being a super power to being a super-sized power. The images we see on TV show everyone being depicted as fit and sexy. In reality, those people represent the minority. I challenge you to go to any mall, look around, and tell me what you actually see. Three out of every five people will be overweight or obese. How do you think that affects self-esteem, confidence, and our ability to function in society?
It may seem unfair, but the simple truth is that first impressions are lasting impressions. When you meet someone for the first time, you remember if things went poorly. When you are meeting that special someone’s family for the first time, no matter how confident you are, you want to make a good impression. Well, what about a job interview? What about the college graduate who is 5’4 and weighs a soft 200lbs? What about the recently displaced 40 something year old who is starting over at about 75lbs overweight? It may sound harsh, but body image is a factor. A corporation looking to hire someone who will represent their company wants someone who cares about how they present themselves. And please know that a Human Resource Manager is considering your impact on the company’s health insurance costs (but they won’t tell you that…).
We have faced many battles stemming from discrimination over the years ranging from sexism, to racism, to classism, to ageism, to homosexuals in the military, and more. Now we face obesity, which is an equal opportunity problem for everyone. Society may judge what is on the outside, but you need to judge what’s going on inside. Why are you here? What are you going to do about it?
Learn to live your life for the better
coachD
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