Cross-posted (with picture) at:
http://tvsmarter.wordpress.com/2010/06/ ... d-obesity/
America is suffering from not only an obesity epidemic, but
also a childhood obesity epidemic. For the children effected,
this means a large increase in Type 2 Diabetes (used to be called
adult-onset diabetes), hypertension, and a general reduction
in quality-of-life.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html
Who is to blame for this epidemic? Well, I think a big part
of the blame lies with the industries that profit from this
epidemic, the junk-food industry and of course the television
industry. Children's TV especially gets most of it's profits
from endless Junk-food commercials and junk-food product placements.
In addition, the TV keeps kids sitting on the couch, giving
them lots of time to eat yet more junk food and watch yet
more commercials.
http://www.tvsmarter.com/documents/obesity.html
The junk-food industry and the TV industry belittle and dismiss
concerns about this epidemic. And in addition, a lot of people
take offense at the very idea that some lifestyle choices are
healthier than others.
So extra kudos for Michelle Obama for taking on a politically
sensitive, and often neglected subject.
A centerpiece of her effort to fight the obesity epidemic
is her excellent website: Let's Move http://www.letsmove.gov/index.html
Unlike countless articles and posts focusing purely on the negative
effects junk-food, Let Move also looks at the importance of
exercise and play:
http://www.letsmove.gov/activity/index.html"Children need 60 minutes of active and vigorous play every day
to grow up to a healthy weight.(source) If this sounds like a lot,
consider that 8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 ½ hours to using
entertainment media including TV, computers, video games, cell phones
and movies in a typical day, and only a third of high school students
get the recommended levels of physical activity. To increase physical
activity, today’s children need safe routes to walk and ride to school,
parks, playgrounds and community centers where they can play and be active
after school, and sports, dance or fitness programs that are exciting and
challenging to keep them engaged."
What else is Let's Move doing? Here's some examples:
- Let's Move Blog
http://www.letsmove.gov/blog/index.html
- Created White House Vegetable Garden
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 05080.html
- Let’s Move Outside, Junior Rangers!
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/F ... -Parks.cfm
- Chef's Move to Schools
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/nal_di ... ubject=225
- Soccer Clinic
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/390 ... ?id=159683
Update: excellent article in Childhood Obesity News TV Makes Kids Fat or Fatter, Take Your Choice
http://childhoodobesitynews.com/2010/06 ... ur-choice/
Update: excellent article in Rudd Sound Bites Michelle Obama Says, “Let’s Move!â€