Responsiblity and Us

My husband and I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on television last night. It was an eye opener to say the least. It wasn't so much of an eye opener into the obesity rates, convenience of heating ready made food, and the overall health of our nation, as much as an eye opener into the lack of motivation we adults have into promoting responsibility of sustaining a healthy population of humans on this earth. The lack of concern over responsibility to care for oneself and lack of motivation is shocking! The lunch ladies at the local appalachian school seemed annoyed that he wanted to have them actually cook food rather than reheating it, even though one lady was completely upset when he called her a lunch lady and she scoffed "I'm a cook". I think Jamie will prove he can set up a food menu within the school districts' budget and constraints but it is lack of knowledge and motivation, on the part of the adults in charge, that will continue to be the downfall for the school kids he seeks to help!

There are many issues that contribute to unhealthy eating habits, especially amongst appalachian people. Many people in the area are illiterate, or have not completed enough education to read past an elementary level. Access to health promotion and care is limited. There is also cost associated with eating healthy that many in that area simply cannot afford. Fresh food and vegetables are more costly than food in the frozen section. Many of those people are living off of limited income or resources and have to find ways to stretch a dollar. But all that said, I still feel that motivation is a key factor to change and promoting health that will sustain us as people on this earth. It doesn't cost a thing to take a walk and go play in the park for 20 minutes a day. With a little creativity, there can be some positive change to eating habits on a limited budget. We need to just find the motivation to get off of our bottoms and jump into improving our health.

Jamie has a wonderful opportunity to save lives and educate people. However, he needs to do so with an awareness of the factors that contribute to obesity. You cannot fix something unless you find the root analysis cause to the problem. You can continue to patch up the ceiling that appears to have a leak, but until you find the leak and patch the hole, the problem will continue.

Great article with links for more information

http://longevity.about.com/od/longevitystatsandnumbers/a/le_declines.htm

From the CDC, you can download and read the executive summary on health statistics in the US. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm