‘Fat’ – it’s a sensitive and sometimes rude word.
Obesity is a huge problem in the U.S. Houston is one of the most obese cities in the world, which isn’t surprising considering the fast food restaurants on every corner and the lack of public transportation.
Many scholars have called’ obesity the last acceptable prejudice in the country. In a society so focused on political correctness and equality, it’s a wonder that the subject of obesity is rarely addressed as a physical or mental issue, but rather as a result of laziness.
Yes, lack of exercise and bad diet are common causes of weight gain, but many overweight people have a predisposition to be so, either through a genetic disorder or because of a real and serious addiction to food.
CBS news anchor Katie Couric addressed the subject of child obesity on her blog.
‘Twelve percent of U.S. children from ages two to five are considered obese – along with 17 percent of kids six to 11.’
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, ‘studies (have) shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.’
As my grandmother likes to say, ‘the habits you have now are the habits you’ll have later.’
Parents are making their kids fat. With dozens of sugary cereals on the market, the amount of fast food options available and the fact that children are spending hours every day in front of the television, it’s a wonder that more children aren’t suffering from obesity.
Parents today have busy schedules and are clouded with guilt about it; they lack one of the most important components of parenting – the ability to say no. It is a parent’s responsibility to look out for their children’s health while they are young.
Eventually, though, children become adults and the responsibility becomes their own. People need to recognize that obesity is a physical ailment – one that often requires professional help.
It’s time to get to the root of the problem.
Liz Price is a communication junior and may be reached at [email protected]
