Just as the Nation is trying to rebuild its healthcare system and hundreds of policy makers scramble to make a viable plan for the future, an incredibly revealing 15 year study conducted by Columbia University and the City College of New York indicates that obesity is now a larger threat to the nation's health than smoking! What does this mean? Maybe it's time for fast food and soft drinks to carry Surgeon General's Warnings just like cigarettes!

WARNING: BIG MACS ARE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND CAN LEAD TO LIFE THREATING DISEASES!

or

WARNING: SUPER-SIZING KILLS!

The study, which didn't come as a surprise to many, found that between 1993 and 2005 smoking rates declined by 18.5% in adults whereas obesity increased by a staggering 85%. The fundamental problem with this shift is, of course, that obesity is linked to many more health problems than smoking. Think of it in these terms: Whereas smoking devastates people's lives with lung cancer, obesity transforms itself into a whole slew of problems from heart disease, circulatory complications, diabetes (especially Type 2), joint issues, sleep apnea, difficulty breathing, liver issues, and so on. The worst part of obesity is that these problems can often hit the person at the same time and, even though the problems are treated, obesity is frequently left untreated which means the problems eventually return.

Worse still, all the evidence shows that obesity rates are increasing ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS. That means that even in children from 6 to 13 years of age we are looking at a 2 fold or 3 fold increase in cases. This is a trend that must be dealt with in a concise and concerted way. If our government took an active role in increasing the education and limiting the rights of tobacco companies to save the nation, it is time it takes a long hard look at those that are making us crave foods that cause damage to our health. If we can limit cigarette advertising for health reasons, I don't see why someone should be allowed to spend a full 30 second TV commercial showing me a sizzling and delicious looking burger? Yes! Maybe I am weak but it makes me want to eat it dammit!

Now that the evidence is clear that obesity is our #1 health concern, everyone should start now to take a proactive role to take control of their health. In the end, it is a lifestyle shift that we need in which we push ourselves and our families to make good choices. Carefully regimented eating habits, cutting out excess fats and excess processed foods, and regular exercise are the only solution and it starts at home. Most studies show that people need as little as half an hour a day of exercise and that this 30 minutes can even be split up into 3 parts. That's 10 minutes 3 times a day! Everyone can do this. These are things that we already know; now it is time to act.

[Ps. I hate how that picture of the cheeseburger (even with warning) is making me want a cheeseburger!]