Obesity

According to the surgeon general, obesity has become an epidemic. This problem is actually costing our health care system an estimated $90 billion a year. Three out of every five Americans are overweight, and one in those five are obese! Wow... How sad. We even had to rename adult-onset diabetes because our countries children are practically running rampant with it (it's now named Type II diabetes, which typically occurs when your body's ability to manage glucose wears down from overuse). So, in other words, your general laziness when it comes to health is killing your children. As Achoo said in Robin Hood: Men in Tights "Look at yourselves! I said take a look around!" Or something to that effect, anyway. 

Because of diabetes, and other health problems that go hand in hand with obesity, today's kids could actually end up with shorter life expectancies than their parents. What?!! Just when we thought our fat asses couldn't get any worse, the United Nations has reported that the billion people suffering from overnutrition now outnumber the 800 million suffering from malnutrition. Did someone say "gluttony"?

Research has proven that people, as well as animals, will eat up to 30% more than they normally would when presented with larger portions (Do you really need to super-size your meal?). Unfortunately, thanks to a little something we call evolution, human appetite is elastic. In other words,  our "hunter-gatherer ancestors" would pig out when the opportunity presented itself, which allowed them to build up reserves of fat against any future famine.  But guess what? With our current fast food nation, as well as our complete and total access to food, we are allowing our bodies to store fat reserves for a famine that will never happen! 

With the new year upon us, it's the perfect opportunity to make a New Year's Resolution to eat less junk, and work out more. Have kids? There are Farmer's Markets everywhere! Take the kids to pick out their own healthy snacks, and rediscover the simple joys of a fresh orange, homemade breads, and support your local farmers by enjoying incredible honey, delicious nuts, etc. While you are already out enjoying the morning with your family (or alone!), take a walk around the neighborhood. You may just discover a new cafe, coffee shop, antique store, etc. along your travels! Make a pledge to eat out less and decrease your junk food, and try new healthier foods and recipes at home more!