Pressing issues like the economic crisis, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan aren’t the only problems awaiting President Obama when he takes office today. Health experts urge him to take bold action to reverse the obesity epidemic or risk today’s children becoming the first generation of Americans to live shorter lives than their parents.
Nearly 100 prominent health organizations, physicians and nutrition experts sent a letter to Mr. Obama this month saying the government needs to take strong action to help curb the obesity problem. Groups involved include the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the American Heart Association, and the Obesity Society. You can see the letter here.
So, what do you think? Is it the government’s responsibility to do something to turn the obesity epidemic around or is it up to all of us as individuals? Would a campaign like the one in Britain work here?
And does knowing that President Obama is very much into fitness inspire others to want to get fit? Or will this picture of him looking – with all due respect – buff… motivate people?
[Photo Credit: barackobama.com]
The link to the Britain study wasn’t working, but I found the Obama bit quite interesting. I didn’t realize we were of an age. I’m not an Obama fan club member, but respect his discipline to exercise. My question, though, is why do we expect the president to take on the role of God and be responsible for fixing all the broken things in the world? And that applies to ANY president. They are not monarchs with unlimited powers – just leaders working in a defined role.
Theresa – You’re so right – presidents don’t have unlimited powers. And I don’t think there should be a “fat tax” on junk foods or anything like that. I just wonder if there are any programs the government could lead that would help reverse the obesity epidemic.
(Sorry the link wasn’t working earlier – it’s working now…)
Unless he’s gonna go to the local Mc Dees and slap that Big Mac out of someone’s hand, probably not!
If he could do something about it, it would certainly curb health care costs long-term.
But what can he do? I think he may pay the problem lip-service and that’s all.
Real exercise PE and nutrition education in schools would help.
Dr. J – Unfortunately, you’re probably right.
Dr.Hubbard – Yes, more PE please! Why did someone think it was a good idea to get rid of or have less PE anyway????? I’ve never understood that.
obama has got his nose in enough places it doesn’t belong. In the USA constitutionally it isn’t the presidents job to tell us what rights we have, or what we can and cannot do. Some one sure needs to tell him that. he forgets that he is to be working for us not dictating to us. He is to be a servant and in his head he wants to be a communist dictator. Lets hope he keeps out of telling us what to eat or drink or how to live more then he already has.