Help Me, I'm Old and I'm Obese

Today while reading my daily USA Today, a certain headline caught my eye.  It read "Medicare to pay for obesity prevention."  The premise of the article was that Medicare would help Medicare patients "enjoy access to appropriate screening and preventive services."  It goes on to explain that the "overall costs of being overweight over a five-year period are $24,395 for an obese woman and $13,230 for an obese man.  Thirty-four percent of US adults are obese . . . which expects ... to rise to 50% by 2030."

Okay - is Medicare for folks 65 years or older?  No offense to our older folks but they have probably lived a life of unhealthy eating and fitness habits to be obese in their later years.  Are we going to be able to change their habits at an older age?  Shouldn't we be focusing our efforts in other areas so we don't create a generation of obese elders?  The article even goes on to explain that "programs need to go beyond helping people lose weight: Americans need to understand that quality of food matters, too."  Christy Ferguson, director of the STOP Obesity Alliance, is quoted as saying, "It's not necessarily weight loss so much as it is increased fitness level and increased health."

So after reading that article and thinking, "I need to talk about that today in the blog!," I go on to the Money section of the paper.  What do I see?  Another article titled, "Catch a (6-inch) Subway for only $2."  For the month of December, Subway will be offering certain subs for $2.  Subway's marketing chief says that they are "showing folks a little love when everyone is fretting about the economic future."  Kudos to Subway!  When I think of my financial future I always wonder if I have enough money to purchase my favorite Subway sub.  The author even questions if a 6 inch sub could be considered a meal because it is too small.  I believe, in part, that it is this mentality that makes 34% of us obese.

This article reminded me of a clip from my favorite documentary: Food Inc.  The family is food shopping and the children pick a vegetable.  The parents tell them to put it away because it is cheaper to go to the drive-in and buy two hamburgers than it is to buy that one vegetable.

We need to change our habits.

We need to demand healthier food at a cheaper price.

We need to open up our eyes that companies' greed of money is making us obese.

Thanks for letting me vent.  I needed to get that off my chest.

Peace,
Mark