Growing Obesity Problem

According to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention currently more than one third of US adults are obese. This is projected to jump significantly by 2030 to perhaps 42%. Especially concerning is the growing number of children and teens approachin 20%. This trend has serious health concerns and a financial drain on our health care system. This contributes to the rising cost of health care, another major problem our country is facing. There are a multitude of factors contributing to the problem and as a result there are no simple answers or single solutions.

1. We need more public education and awareness to encourage Americans to adopt healthy life styles. The American Medical Association recently recommended legislation to require classes in grades 1-12 on causes, consequences, prevention of obesity. If most children learned the amount of fat, calories in fast food and the amount of sugar in soft drinks and potential implications on their weight and health their behaviors would change for the better. Unfortunately, many obese people are in denial and more publicity may help more of them recognize they have a problem.
2. We need parents and families to play a greater role in addressing this issue. Parents can set the right example by managing themselves as to weight, diet, health and exercise. It is probable, as with smokers, if the parents are obese the children are more likely to be as well. Having a dinner, meal schedule with the family sitting down together may reduce snacking, increase more balanced meals and improve family communications.
3. Self discipline to eat a balanced diet in combination with moderate exercise is the simple formula. Portion size awareness is important to calorie control; eating smaller portions overall is a solution. Eating more vegetable and fruits and less meat and breads also is advisable. Moderate exercise includes simply a brisk walk. Riding a bicycle is a fun way to get moderate exercise.
4. Periodic visits to the family doctor are a good idea for young people and as people age into their forties and beyond an annual physical is advisable. Many policies provide an annual physical for little if any charge. Please consult first with your doctor prior to any major change in exercise level. A gradual approach is advised if you choose to begin running or swimming programs.

 In closing, for full disclosure, I am not a doctor or expert on obesity. I am a runner for many years and try to eat a balanced diet. For me playing sports and exercise have always been fun. I look forward to my 8 mile Saturday run and my annual week snow ski vacation; fun, exercise, keep the weght under control. Good luck with whatever works for you.

2012 Election Crucial to Our Freedom

It is imperitive the message get out to Independants, Conservative democrats and Republicans that this is the most important election of a lifetime! The current administration is taking us down the road of Socialism with the government in control taking away the freedom of our citizens to instead depend on the government for most everything. This is opposite of what our founding fathers intended, spelled out in the Constitution. We must preserve Capitalism as the primary force limiting government to keeping order and security with minimal regulation of free markets. Under the Obama administration our debt has been growing at a pace of over $1 TRILLION per year and now approaches $16 TRILLION with no end in site, and no substantive plans by the administration to deal with the problem. This is unsustainable and strong action is critical in 2013 to prevent the kind of crisis European countries like Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy are dealing with now. The compounding interest on the debt could skyrocket as the US debt is inevitably downgraded as happened last year and fears of a future US bankrupcy grow. Yes, it could happen just as nobody believed the Titanic would ever sink.

Mitt Romney is the likely GOP nominee and it is crucial the people get behind his candidacy and help him build a conservative platform that clearly spells out the advantages of free markets, limited government verses big government and overly regulated markets. Hopefully some of the excellent conservative ideas of  Santorum, Ginrich, and Paul can be incorporated. Obamacare must be cancelled!  The government should not be involved in the housing mortgage, insurance market. Phase out Fannie, Freddy, Housing Authority.We must address our energy needs and alternative fuels are not the immediate answer. Natural gas is abundant and relatively inexpensive. Relax regulations on drilling; expedite the Keystone Pipeline. Ginrich's $2.50 gas is plausible! The US has the capacity to be energy independant. While we need to maintain a strong defense we cannot afford to continue to be the Lone Ranger of the world. The US needs to return to financial strength by balancing its budget within the next 4 years and thereafter. Financial strength will go a long way to increase our world influence! The next appointment of the Federal Reserve chairman is critical; there needs to be a change there and the role of the Federal Reserve should be curtailed. The Fed's easy money policy is part of our weak currency, inflation problem and punishes savers. We need to simplify the tax code and make sure everybody pays their fair share. Entitlement programs must be reformed if Social Security is going to survive.

Beyond the presidency, we need to elect some new blood into the Congress, especially in the Senate. The Senate has largely been responsible for the failures to pass a budget the last few years. GOP control of both and a new president are critical to this country's future. The stronger the mandate the better.

David Good
Concerned Citizen