Big Gulps or Not

I am so proud to be an American.  Being an American means that we have the freedom to make choices.  I  believe that consumers should have freedom of choice.  However, I am concerned about the health of our nation.  In my last blog, I wrote about HBO's "Weight of the Nation" documentary.  Approximately one third of Americans are overweight and one third are obese.  Seventeen percent of adolescents aged 12-19 are obese.  This is the first generation that may not outlive the generation before them. Obesity is no longer a personal issue but a health and economic problem that contributes to death and disability. Health issues drive up costs for companies and individuals who carry insurance. Obesity is now the responsibility of the nation. As a nation, we have to do something!

 His reason for doing this is his firm stand  to combat weight issues in his city.  He states that it is about the cost of obesity related health issues and the cost of them in New York City.  Many citizens are obviously opposed as they say it takes away freedom of choice.  

In the 1960's, my family went to McDonalds in University City. It was a big treat. Fast food was new to our town and it was something that we did not often eat. Things were different in the 1960's than they are now.  Another big difference was that children were not overweight.  That day at McDonalds, my brothers started to laugh and whisper. I looked in the direction they were looking and I saw a very heavy boy eating two burgers.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Not only was he eating two burgers but his mother let him order two burgers?  As a child in the 1960's, I knew it was absurd to be eating two burgers.  Today, eating two burgers is considered the norm.  We need to teach parents and children about portion control to help save our nation.

Ellen S. Abramson

author of Live To Dance