How can we start fighting obesity. Obesity has become a major issue affecting a large number of the population, and this number is increasing year after year. But what is causing this?
If everyone is involved, communities can support each other in the fight against obesity. Obesity has become a major issue affecting a large number of the population, and this number is increasing year after year. But what is causing this? Is it the food industry creating more and more unhealthy foods? Is it because we are becoming lazy? Is it the lack of self-control and commitment to a healthy life?The truth is that the obesity epidemic is a result of the way we, as a society, live today. Our collective lifestyles are contributing to the development of overweight and the health concerns it ensues.
This is why the solution lies in our hands. We must work together and involve everyone in our community. We created this unhealthy lifestyle, and we can change it.
This is what was done in two small towns in northern France in an initiative started in 1992. Everyone in these two communities got involved in the project: mayors, scientists, business and restaurant owners, families and citizens, schools, sports associations, government officials and media outlets.
What they did was they built sporting centers with professional coaches, outdoor playing areas, and made walking routes. All of this was done in an effort to inspire children as well as adults to eat better and exercise more.
The results of this initiative are quite pleasingly surprising. In 2005, 13 years after the beginning of this initiative, obesity rates in the children of these communities had decreased by 9% in contrast with other neighboring towns, the obesity rate at which had increased by over 17%.
Because of the success of this experiment, it has also been adopted in several other communities such as Spain, Greece and Australia.
There is no doubt that the fight against obesity must begin with each individual examining his or her way of life and making personal changes. However, it can be much easier and more successful in the long run if we all work together to support each other as one community.
