Another weighty dilemma

An ABC News report today on a Deakin University suggestion to weigh all Victorian school kids has reportedly caused some controversy....

BUT please consider this is extract from the draft Australian National Food Security Plan Green Paper

"Based on past trends and no effective interventions, 83 per cent of men and 75 per cent of women aged 20 years and over in Australia could be overweight or obese by 2025 (Haby & Markwick 2008). This predicted increase is expected to significantly affect Australia’s disease burden and healthcare costs, mostly due to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, which is expected to become the leading disease burden by 2023 (AIHW 2010)".

So what do we do?

Condemn our children to a life of disease and despair from type II Diabetes with all its complications & potentially life-threatening conditions or be politically-correct & all civil libertarian about it...

Kids I have found are smart if things are explained to them in a non-judgmental, sensitive & objective manner..i.e effective communication using emotionally intelligent language...

Like us all they deserve and want information. When we get the facts we can make wise & informed choices' i.e. be self-directing

I know if I was a kid & it was explained to me the reasons for the weigh-in & then the choices I am confronted with I would feel more empowered.

I think most smart children would opt for a better quality of life for their next 60-70+ years than get caught up in a short term debate.

Seems we have a huge problem (excuse the pun) to confront before 2025 arrives..12.5 years to turn this potential disaster around.

It can be done..we have no real alternative.

The benefits of healthy eating:

• More healthy individuals! one person & one bite at a time...
• More productive workers!
• More viable farmers: it will also help our Aussie farmers who can & want to produce food that is made by a real plant & not in a (processing) plant.
• More potential sports men and women: who knows it might even produce a few more Olympians as well.

I believe we can't bury our head in the sand on this issue...I also believe we owe it to these children...what a whammy: obesity & climate change..not a nice legacy to leave them.

What do you think?

Join the discussion.

Rossco

Getting better & wiser not older.

Australia's bulging obesity epidemic

As we approach Diabetes Awareness week (July 10-16) this is a very timely story on the ABC website (see link). 

Statistics don't seem to have much impact on people at a personal level...but in 12.5 years i.e. 2025..over 30% yes that is 1 in 3 people are expected to be obese. 

Plus the other 30+% overweight and potentially obese. Think about that in your immediate family or friends if you want to personalise it.

The cause of obesity can be debated but we can't escape the fact that the majority of Australians are overweight. Do your own survey in the next shopping mall as you walk along.

Diabetes kills people slowly and painfully. The loss of circulation, limbs, eyesight…all are preventable by eating sensibly and doing 30 minutes (4% of your average day spent doing some moderate exercise). 

Surely that is enough incentive to ensure we all live life to the fullest and have the ability to enjoy it....right to our final days.

As a health coach I am amazed at the average person’s total disconnect between disease, food and exercise. It is not rocket science. 

Why is there a ‘disconnect’? Why do we value our amazing body so lightly? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Check out the Diabetes map 1980-2025 infographic if you want to see one 'fat future' for Australia..or choose the other road to health. We all have choices with the natural consequences that follow.

Just imagine how productive and vibrant Australia could be if we all were within our ideal weight range. Physically and mentally.

Its time to stop the 'self harm ' we are inflicting on ourselves and our children. Lets begin to turn the tide. One bite and one step at a time.

In the meantime, if you want to take personal responsibility for your health and not expect a pill for every ill…contact me (rosscohealthcoach@gmail.com). It is never too late to start.