The Skinny on Obesity

So what’s the skinny on obesity?

Well, it depends on which aspect you are looking at? Without looking in depth when you consider the impacts there are some really important things to look at. As obesity increases in our schools, in infancy, and across the country, so does the cost of healthcare in America.

Individual Health & Well Being

We are, as humans, bio-chemical engines that process energy in order for us to do the things we do. When our engine is not running well we feel run down, like an old car you might say. The type of fuel we put into our engines affects our performance. This is a well known fact so delusional arguments and red herrings do not serve us well. We are what we eat. And if we don’t eat right we are doing a disservice to ourselves.

Economic Health

Let’s face it, being unhealthy costs money. The symptom, cause, and disease relationship of obesity is tied to numerous disorders. Each of these disorders has a cost associated with it. Let’s keep this simple so as not to confuse the issue. Healthcare is expensive in America and companies and individuals are increasingly finding it cost prohibitive. It would be to our advantage to reduce the costs. No bones about it, if we increase health, we reduce cost.

National Security

The health of our economy is a national security issue. The national debt and the debt obligation are both issues that we need to pay attention to. If we don’t pay attention, we may not be able to afford needed solutions in the future. Higher levels of obesity reduce the percentage of people that qualify for entry to the military.

Understanding the Issues

This video features Dr. Robert Lustig (Pediatric Endocrinologist, University of California, San Francisco); Elissa Epel, (Center for Obesity Assessment, Study & Treatment, University of California, San Francisco); Barbara Laraia (Center for Obesity Assessment, Study & Treatment, University of California, San Francisco). This is an authoritative assessment of what the evidence says about the growing problem of obesity. This is no longer considered an epidemic, it is now considered a pandemic. It’s global, it’s happening, and we need to understand it.

An Epidemic for Every Body (Episode 1)

Sickeningly Sweet (Episode 2)

Hunger and Hormones- A Vicious Cycle (Episode 3)

Sugar – A Sweet Addiction (Episode 4)

Generation XL (Episode 5)

A Fast-Paced Fast Food Life (Episode 6)

Drugs Cigarettes Alcohol…and Sugar? (Episode 7)