Just like drinking alcohol is not a sin, but drunkenness is, eating is not a sin, but being a glutton is. Both eating and drinking in moderation can be enjoyable. When alcohol is abused, the heavy drinker becomes a drunkard or a softer word, an alcoholic. Similarly, the overeater becomes a glutton and is referred to as being obese.
Obesity in the world, including our once great country, has become one of the major health problems. It’s gotten the attention of the federal, state and local governments.
The World Health Organization says America has a serious weight problem. In 2008, the organization said that 33 percent of American adults were obese and 69 percent were overweight. Two years ago, it was reported that 80 percent of adult men were overweight, along with 77 percent of women.
Obesity is estimated to account for at least $150 billion a year in health care spending.
In 1900, pneumonia, tuberculosis and childhood diarrhea were the leading killers of Americans. Today, obesity is listed as the leading killer in the world.
Obesity’s side effects, besides the health problems of diabetes, heart trouble, high blood pressure, strokes and cancer are that overweight people, especially children, have a low self-image.
The reason for the increase in obese people is that we take in too many calories and have too little physical exercise to burn them up. Our children stay indoors too much playing video games, watching TV and eating Junk food. Parents are busy trying to make a living and when
at home, lounge around looking at TV and eating poor quality food.
The solution is simple — a balanced lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, daily exercise and a positive attitude about life.
If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.