In a time right here in America, where the jobless rate continues to hit a high not seen in over 26 years and our hard-working citizens are hitting rock bottom, carrying a lot of weight mentally, emotionally and financially, it is common for most to brush their physical weight to the side.
While the non-obese feel this huge (excuse my metaphor) issue is considered a personal problem rather than an issue among our society, consequently it has become a national crisis affecting every single person, obese or not.
Considering the nation is in a financial crisis, it is hard to imagine how anyone could find a way to encourage employers, legislators and the general public alike to invest time and money they don’t have into helping prevent and dissolve obesity within our communities, schools and workplaces.
Well, step aside skinny pessimists, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prepared its inaugural conference, Weight of the Nation, which will be held July 27 to 29 in Washington D.C., highlighting progress in the obesity prevention and presenting an intervention within the community, medical care, schools and the workplace to end obesity.
In addition, the CDC has launched an online program, LeanWorks! at cdc.gov/leanworks to help prevent and control obesity for businesses across the country. It is a free, I repeat, free program for employers to set up a plan for employees to build a healthy foundation, promote a better lifestyle and assess their progress.
But why should employers feel responsible for their employee’s weight problem? Well, the general public may not be aware of this, but the statistics on obesity in the workplace is staggering and the medical care costs and decline in work productivity attributed to obesity is even more overwhelming. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself at cdc.gov/leanworks. Talk about a reality check!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has really stepped up to the devastating facts of obesity in this country and I think it's about time we Americans start listening to the statistics and realize that if we don’t nip this disease in the butt, we as a society will be spending more tax dollars and wasted time aiding individuals, opposed to all pitching in a few words of encouragement to an entire community, schools full of our future generation and many businesses struggling in this economy.
We need to get this disease on track to extinction while we as a society have the power and tools to do it. It is not just one obese person’s will to make a change, it’s the willpower of every single person, obese or not, to step up and help make a change.
So step up America. Step up and empower those who need help. Let's free ourselves and this recovering nation from one disease that we the people can prevent and control. Please take a minute of your time while sitting at your cubicle perusing the Internet and visit cdc.gov for more information on the upcoming Weight of the Nation Conference that can change the weight of our nation.