You Can Stop Preventable Disease

Two out of three U.S. adults are overweight or obese.

One in twenty adults have extreme obesity.

One out of three children are considered overweight or obese.

One of every five preventable disease and deaths is attributed to smoking.

One out of three adults have prediabetes.

One out of three deaths are attributed to cardiovascular disease.

These statistics are staggering. In fact, they are so alarming that one would think that the trend is declining, however, quite the opposite is true. Let’s face it, Americans are facing a serious epidemic that is completely within their control. Yet, despite this control, are still choosing to turn a blind eye to the consequences of their choices. Much like waving the white flag of surrender during historic battles.

Despite countless measures by reputable organizations and non-profits, even our own government for that matter, society continues on the same unhealthy path. Billions of dollars are invested to change these statistics, yet no one is listening. Similar to the decision of surrender during war, when troops are out numbered and lacking sufficient weaponry to defend themselves, modern society needs to acknowledge the same defeat. Except our enemy is not a person, or country. It is a lifestyle.

This lifestyle is also a mindset. Common sense is thrown out the window. Reliance on convenience and cost has trumped nutrition. Do we not know, at some level, that fried, fast food is not good for our health? That just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean sacrificing nutritional value for ourselves or children. Or that soda contains way too much sugar for our body to digest? What about the the ingredients in a package of food? Have you ever really tried to read the list? If you can’t pronounce it, chances are your body can’t use it.

Likewise, the surgeon general warns that cigarettes are harmful to our health, even to the extent of causing cancer. Television commercials show a former smoker with a tracheostomy (surgically created hole in the windpipe) telling people not to smoke or this might happen to them, too.

Isn’t it time that we wave that white flag, saying we are through with living on this slippery slope of unhealthy choices? Surrendering means realizing that our bodies are no match for processed foods, remaining sedentary, or overindulgence. If we were, we wouldn’t be in the health crisis we are in today.

Let’s start by waving that white flag – today.