Well, here’s a medical condition that blogging probably contributes to: obesity. It certainly doesn’t put anyone on a treadmill.
In a study covered in today’s Courant, while Connecticut residents have a lower propensity for obesity than most other states, we still weigh in with over 20.6 % of residents being obese, or having a BMI (body mass index) of over 30.
Adult obesity is a problem that is getting worse, and it causes a real strain on our health care system. Diabetes, heart disease and numerous other ailments have their origins in obesity. But childhood obesity is an even greater concern as generations of inactive adults pass along bad eating, exercise and nutritional habits to their children, and perpetuate the problem.
Connecticut’s youths did not fare as well as the state’s adult population, coming in 37th among all states. The obesity rate among 10- to 17-year-olds was 12.3 percent, compared with a national average of 14.8 percent for the age group.
This comparative rating is nothing to be proud of. So what’s the answer? Does the government need to step in? How do we reverse this trend? It starts with personal responsibility, and reversing the cycle. But how do we do that?
All readers of CTLP should celebrate a new healthy outlook by doing some sit-ups today while blogging 
Source:
Hathaway, William. “Obesity: Less of it for us.” Hartford Courant. 28 August, 2007
10 responses so far ↓
At least we’re less fat than Alabama?
I’m not sure where government’s role stops and it starts being a matter of culture and individual choice.
Obesity is the reason we have a so-called healthcare crisis.
I don’t want to hear anything about national healthcare from over-weight liberals like Michael Moore and Tom Swan.
So if Michael Moore lost 50 pounds poor people would have health insurance? Huh.
Obesity is part of the problem, but it is nowhere near everything.
Thank you but let’s keep the government out of my refrigerator and my cupboards. I am intelligent enough (as are most people) to know what is good for me and what I should eat. I still like the choice of having an extra scoop or two of ice cream if I want without the government being involved. They also don’t need to monitor when I exercise. It is none of their business. Given that weight gain has so many contributing factors I cannot even see how they could get involved in telling people what to eat or how to manage their weight.
Genghis, as far as I am concerned the government doesn’t have a role in this issue at all.
Now if health care providers want to adjust rates based on how you take care of yourself perhaps that gives people an incentive.. but I doubt it. Besides liberals would scream about that being a discriminatory access issue.
[quote post="903"]Thank you but let’s keep the government out of my refrigerator and my cupboards. I am intelligent enough (as are most people) to know what is good for me and what I should eat. I still like the choice of having an extra scoop or two of ice cream if I want without the government being involved. They also don’t need to monitor when I exercise. It is none of their business. Given that weight gain has so many contributing factors I cannot even see how they could get involved in telling people what to eat or how to manage their weight.[/quote]
Presumably, you’ll decline Medicare for any treatment that might be required due to bad lifestyle and eating habits too.
Heres what this 17 year old thinks needs to be done.
1. The junk food ban in schools is a good start. I would have never lost the weight I did if my family didn’t get a calorie list for the stuff they make in school. I know their budget is limited but some of that garbage is ridiculous.
2. Stricter honesty in advertising laws for the food service industry plus restrictions on advertising towards children. Studies show that the food decisions children make affect their eating habits for a lifetime.
3. Mandatory calorie listing in restaurants so people can make informed decisions. Perhaps even a surgeon general’s warning on McDonalds bags, haha.
I think that would be a pretty good start without infringing too much on individual choices.
Why hasn’t tb commented on this?!!
Genghis, while you are correct that obesity is not nearly the whole problem, it should be noted that preventative healthcare, part of which would be cutting down on obesity, would go a long way towards reducing medical costs. People that clearly put little effort into taking care of themselves are at more risk of heart disesase, stroke, etc. which in turn raises health care costs. That’s why it’s irritating to see Michael Moore waddling around spewing his rhetoric when it’s clear he has not put any effort into doing the things necessary to ensure that he is not another overweight 50 year old heart attack victim.
“Presumably, you’ll decline Medicare for any treatment that might be required due to bad lifestyle and eating habits too.”
Toucan – where did you get that from – I never suggested that.. I never said treatment would be declined for anyone.
What don’t you get about this? Given that weight gain has so many contributing factors I cannot even see how the government could get involved in telling people what to eat or how to manage their weight.
What about those people who eat all kinds of crap and never gain an ounce? You going to have the government stop them from eating what they want too?
Sorry – but I still say the government has no business in this issue.
I agree with ATalbot – give the consumers information they can use to make informed choices and leave the government out of banning transfats and twinkies, or checking my cupboards. or perhaps you’d like the State to ban smoking and liquor consumption too.. They tried that kind of stuff – it didn’t work remember?
[quote post="903"]give the consumers information they can use to make informed choices[/quote]
and who requires that be done? the government, Republitarian!!!!!!
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