Knowledge is the best cure for the obesity that ails us

We are too fat, and obesity is killing us. Not outright, but through increased chronic disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Also associated with being overweight are breathing problems, psychological disorders, arthritis and stroke.

Across the nation 300,000 deaths annually aredirectly related to being overweight. Only tobacco-related illnesses kill more. Obese people are difficult surgical candidates, are more difficult to manage with their increased chronic disease, and the morbidly obese may find life's routine chores overwhelming. An estimated 60 percent of the nation's adult population is overweight, representing a 63 percent increase since 1986. Ten percent of high school students are overweight, with another 14 percent at risk.

Acknowledging the human suffering, costs for medical care and the potential years of life lost, Gov. Jeb Bush created a task force to seek avenues to improve the overall health and reduce the weight of Florida's citizens. Health professionals across the state welcomed the governor's call for action. Local public health departments have long served Florida citizens with nutrition and other preventive services and will be pleased to direct energies to this important health issue.

I was asked recently by a local news reporter whether we should begin our efforts with children. I responded by saying that our efforts should begin with prenatal care, with the proper education of future moms to the importance of good nutrition and physical activity. If asked again, I would say that the approach has to attack many fronts, including prenatal care addressed through WIC (Women Infants and Children) and nutrition programs in local health departments. I would also add pre-K through high school and education for young adults through old age. Understood is the need for a mantra advocating good nutrition and exercise from cradle to grave.

The definition of "overweight" can be complex, given lingo such as body mass index (BMI). Overweight is graded with morbid obesity representing the need to lose 100 pounds or more. Some of those folks cannot stand up, dress or do any physical activity. Recently, a news item mentioned a 400-pound individual who spent days entrapped in his mobile home after falling through the floor.

Aside from clinical disease are the mental health disorders. Overweight teens seeing images through stage, screen and advertising conclude that thin is in. Youths may attempt dangerous diets and over-the-counter remedies to lose weight. The healthy approach to weight loss is through proper nutrition and exercise. Many of our movie stars and models have described their own unhealthy behaviors to lose weight.

The increasing obesity among children is alarming. Physical education programs once prevalent in our schools now reach less than half of our students and are not required in the curriculum. Florida's children enjoy year-round opportunities for outdoor sports and physical activity yet opt to watch television and play computer games. Our school cafeterias play to fad diets with pizza as the No. 1 food item, and lean meats, vegetables and healthy salads are a rare option. Sodas are sold, rather than healthy juices, toraise needed school revenues.

To combat increasing obesity in Florida and the nation requires a strong commitment of resources and increasing support for what is already available. Local health departments, through their nutrition and WIC programs, along with well baby clinics, have educated thousands of Floridians to the benefits of proper diet and exercise. Stressed also are the perils of smoking, alcohol consumption and dangers of drug abuse for women during pregnancy.

Our schools need to work more closely with public health nutrition programs to offer better fare to school children. In Pasco County, our nutrition services division worked closely with a local school providing healthy choices and a salad bar in a pilot project. I regret to say that the project was never extended throughout the school system.

However, the ultimate responsibility for good nutrition and exercise does not rest with our schools or local health department or elected officials. The successes of efforts to reduce the problems of overweight fall to families educating themselves to good health and assessing and doing something about their lifestyles.

I am pleased to say that we have had much success in reducing smoking among our adult population and continued success in addressing the dangers of smoking with our youth. That aside, we can easily combine our efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and see similar success in efforts to reduce obesity with healthier eating habits and exercise. Our progress within the community will depend on our personal commitment to address this serious medical issue. One may say "thin is in," but only through proper nutrition and exercise.

- Dr. Marc J. Yacht is director of the Pasco County Health Department.

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