Guest Author - Vivian Nelson Melle

It is common to see and hear reports claiming obesity is to blame for the rise in health care costs. It even became a hot topic between politicians. Unfortunately our country has a history of using these type of witch hunts to be cover up the true issues. Can we really blame an obesity for the rise in health-related issues? While the problem is multifaceted, the treatment is a simple holistic plan that requires all people to eat healthy, not just those who are overweight.

There has been a gradual increase in not only obesity, but in the diagnosis of eating disorders, most commonly bulimia and anorexia. There are several health problems associated with these groups, however, the later appears to have a more immediate effect on health. Our nation is focusing on one group when the focus is needed on the eating habits of all groups starting at a very young age.

As a teacher and counselor, I worked with many children having appropriate Body Mass Index, BMI, but who would not eat any fruits of vegetables. More interesting is that their parents were also avoiding these necessary foods. It has become well known that many people live on coffee, soda, and junk food. Many of the overweight children I worked with were starving themselves and binging late in the evening, while others simply were not eating enough for their bodies to burn the calories needed to loose weight. Regardless of BMI, we are not eating properly. Many ask how can change be made when lives are so stressful and time is so precious?

Life will not uncomplicate itself to appease a person's health. It is often said that life today is much more complicated than it was in generations passed. After long and over eventful days, easy it is to drive through and pick up dinner instead of cooking. At the end of that fast food line, though, there is rarely a balanced meal. We our paying for our overworked, overstressed, and overextended lives with our health.

The holistic solution is not simple, but it can happen if small steps are taken toward the greater goal. Eating better is a simple solution, but staying on track is difficult when the whole picture is not addressed. It is important that we prioritize our lives and look at where our energy should be expended. It is easy to become entangled in priorities that fizzle into a sad excuse for wasted energy at the end of the day. Eating healthy needs to become and remain a top priority by learning the food pyramid, making meals instead of relying on fast food, and making exercise a part of a families daily routine.