Little steps could bring big results

It seems you can’t open a magazine or watch a news program without seeing something about America’s “growing” weight issues. Many experts consider it a crisis. Some people get tired of all the talk and tune it out. But the time has come to pay attention — especially for our children.

It’s estimated that childhood obesity rates have quadrupled over the past 30 years. When I was a kid, we walked to school. We rode our bikes around the neighborhood until the street lights came on. We didn’t have computers in every home and there were far fewer choices of what to watch on television. Eating “fast food” was a treat, not an everyday occurrence. Things were different then, and in some aspects, better.

Think of all the advances in medicine over those same past 30 years. Death rates for people with heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other conditions are declining. Despite advances, the life expectancy for some woman has actually dropped recently and health experts are predicting life expectancy declines for many groups of Americans. Obesity if cited as a major contributor to the decline.

Quality of life for obese or overweight children as they grow into adults could suffer as well. The number of people with type 2 diabetes continues to rise. It can lead to life-threatening complications including kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Years ago, Most of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were middle-aged adults. Today, more and more children are being diagnosed with the disease. Those children could have devastating complications well before their middle age.

This is not a problem that is going away. Many communities and organizations across the country are using a “team approach” to battle the bulge. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been promoting physical fitness for years. A few years ago, Iowa started its Lighten Up Iowa campaign. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett made a New Years Resolution on the last day of 2007, proclaiming “this city is going on a diet.” School lunches and physical education programs are getting makeovers.

This fall the Blue Springs community is coming together to promote health and fitness for the whole family. This project, Blue Springs F.I.T. (Families in Training) will involve the City of Blue Springs, Parks and Recreation, area businesses, schools and St. Mary’s Medical Center. The message: there are many simple things you can do to have impact your health. No six-weeks on a ranch with personal trainers needed for this program. Real solutions for real families. You’ll be reading and hearing more about it as we get closer to our September kickoff.    

But you don’t have to wait until the kickoff to get started. Tonight, instead of watching TV, why not take the whole family for a walk? A bike ride? Have fruit instead of ice cream for dessert. Change just one simple habit at a time. Live to be an example for our children and in the end, you’ll be happier and healthier.