Being an OWM (obese, white, male), I read with interest a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost 32 percent of children in the country from 2 to 19 years old -- more than 23 million -- are obese or overweight. In addition, studies show that many of these children are heading toward diabetes, high blood pressure, other chronic diseases and an early death. A dire and frightening thought.
First Lady Michelle Obama has dedicated herself to reducing childhood obesity; and although most agree with her objective, it appears the practical steps necessary will face stiff opposition from special interest the lobbyists.
As a first step, the CDC suggested: " A tax of 1 cent an ounce on sugar-sweetened beverages -- about a 10 cent price increase on a 12-ounce can -- would like to be the singles most effective measure to reverse the obesity epidemic." It seems likely the soft drink industry lobbyists will try to prevent that.
Other ideas, like getting junk food from school vending machines and "removing TV sets from inactive children's bedrooms" may be be easier to accomplish because parents and parent organisations can accomplish this on their own.
Another idea, more controversial, is to require schools to provide three gym classes a week
Still another is a shift from a farm policy that now rewards sugar, milk and corn producers to one that rewards growers of healthy fruits and vegetables.
Whatever changes may or may not take place, the bottom line is that it will be up to parents to provide a healthy diet and sufficient exercise for their children. Unfortunately, as with so many other aspects of life, doing this is much easier for the more affluent than it is for the impoverished.
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