September 12, 2008

[TBF]_Obesity_09.12.2008_

The Future is Now!
(What do you think? Too over the top?)

Fast is the new “Normal”. We are always in a rush because apparently we all have somewhere to be at some point. I don’t know where.. but it’s somewhere! But one thing I’ve learned about being fast and living in the “go-go-go” world of today, is that all the decisions we make now a days are pretty much knee jerk reactions, I mean seriously, no real thought is put into anything anymore, and that includes above all else.. How we take care of ourselves.

People! Today’s world is powered by Fast: Fast cars, fast electronics, and fast women and of course fast food.

Oh sure the idea of doing 55 while getting a hummer from some strange girl, checking your twitter while ordering the #7 w/ cheese sounds like fun but I keep forgetting… I can’t drive 55!

Obesity is one of, if not the biggest growing health concerns facing many today. Evidently why make a sandwich for lunch the night before when buying a Big Mac is so much easier.

I have research. I have comments. I have an urge to put foot to ass on something…

In case you missed my point… We’re baaaaack!


So bring it Bitches!

The Brian Factor: Obesity

Right now!

“Hi There, Are you a large person? Pleasantly plump? A little on the hefty side perhaps? Well let’s face it. Are you fat? When you go jogging, do you leave potholes? When you make love, do you have to give directions? At the zoo, do elephants throw you peanuts? Do you look at the menu and say, “Ok.”“?

What? You thought I was going to take it easy just because I’m starting back up after 8 months? Fuck off!

First off in case you’re blind or just never wanted to look at the photos I’ve posted, I am not a small man. I’ve admitted this and made peace with it. I no longer go swimming because a Japanese whaler once thought I was worth a hefty reward. So it’s safe to say that I happen to know a little something about this subject as opposed to some others who believe that gaining that five pounds that turns you from a size 2 to a size 4 gives you the right to call yourself an expert/ sufferer.

Obesity today is the end result of some outside influences coupled with our own individual lack of common sense. Back in 2006 the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) released a report showing the increase of obesity among adults between 1976 and 2000 and to give an idea of how far we’ve come, it basically runs down like this:

1976: 40% of American adults were considered obese

1988: the number of obese has jumped from to 56%

2000: the number jumped again to 64%

That was in 2000. Eight years ago. Are you stating to notice a pattern here? Look, unless you’re the Hulk, You don’t wake up overnight and find that your pants don’t fit anymore. Obesity is a gradual process, usually weeks and months, so you could imagine the fact that unless you’re too involved in the living drama that is your life or something else, you would notice a belly where your prized six-pack once stood.

People think that just cause you’re fat, the only problem you’ll have is trying to find a shirt that fits, when in reality numerous diseases and afflictions can be traced to being obese: Asthma, Fallen arches, acid reflux, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, Etc. and to really drive the nail home, back in 2004 the CDC release their study confirming that obesity-attributable medical expenditures reached $75 billion dollars. Now that is a lot of cheeseburgers!

This isn’t just something affecting adults, Children at an early age are pretty much being given the shaft health wise because what they eat sets the stage for what will happen. When I was in high school I worked in the student store that sold majority of the snacks/ drinks to the student body and I know majority of the people who read this haven’t been in school for at least 7-10 years but allow me to give you an idea of what’s change since you were in school.

The idea of the healthy lunch is pretty much an idea. Most of the foods they sell are just microwave able burritos and daily deliveries of Pizza from the local Round Table. Water/ juices are still an option but so are sodas, energy drinks, and stuff that will make your dentist very happy come check up time, guess which one wins. The idea of “Brain food” usually consisted of fresh fruit, bagels, muffins, granola bars, sunflower seeds and trail mix. Now they’ve expanded the concept to include chips, ice cream, various sugary snacks and basically enough candy to open my own chocolate factory (I even wore a suit and often would burst into song while working at the store.)

Normally I’d give my spiel on what can be done to fix things, though it looks like that might not be necessary. Then again. What kind of idiot doesn’t realize that feeding your kid nothing but sugar is a death sentence in the making! Is it so wrong to teach your kids that there’s nothing wrong with a fucking salad? I mean come on; veggies aren’t just an option on your pizza, people. They contain vitamins that keep you healthy and always add something new your palate. At least some school are showing initiative now, reports show that many school are now banning vending machines and are paying attention to the nutritional levels of what they sell. Normally it would be enough but it’s not just the schools, parents as usual have to take responsibility for what their children eat. You can’t feed the kid take out every night and wonder why he can’t breathe when he goes running.. Correction, IF HE GOES RUNNING! It also wouldn’t hurt if you did the kid a favor and kicked his/ her ass outside to get some fresh air instead of letting him sit down playing X-Box or checking their MySpace all night long.

As I end my factor for this week I will leave you with these parting words:

Being healthy is not difficult; it’s in fact pretty easy. Weighing 300 + lbs and trying to breathe, but your asthma stops you.. Now that’s difficult.

Until Next Time.

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