CNN brings its Fit Nation initiative to Philly & the nation
"LET'S GET physical," Olivia Newton-John's classic 1981 hit urged, a rallying cry that may become a new national anthem if physician Sanjay Gupta and former President Bill Clinton have their way.
The two spoke about "Fit Nation," a national health and fitness initiative started by CNN, to a packed house at Drexel University last week. The plan is simple: to encourage Americans to make health and fitness a No. 1 priority and, in the process, stomp out the nation's obesity epidemic.
"We need your help," exclaimed Gupta, CNN's senior medical correspondent. "We're in a crisis. Eating is killing us,
we're not as productive, and we're falling behind."
Being overweight or obese has become the most serious risk to our nation's health. If you need confirmation, consider these sobering statistics from the American Heart Association's statistical sourcebook:
16 percent of U.S. children and teens are overweight.
65 percent of adults age 20 and over are overweight or obese.
Obesity by itself is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Obesity raises blood pressure levels.
Obesity can induce diabetes.
Clinton told the Drexel audience that "27 percent of [overall U.S.] health care cost is related to obesity, and we spend 50 percent more on health care than any other nation."
However, both Gupta and Clinton agreed that this is a fixable problem.
It takes a village
Fixable indeed.
The Daily News From Flab to Fab Fitness Challenge participants are fine examples of what can be achieved with teamwork, motivation and increased awareness about exercise and proper diet.
The Fab Five have learned that super-sized meals are no bargain. They know now that so-called "value-added" meals are not a good deal for the waistline or the wallet.
Cynthia, Vaughn, B.J., Mary and Sherita all know that cheap, convenient but high-calorie meals ultimately come with a much higher price.
In just seven weeks, the team has demonstrated that we can do it if we try. Most Americans, however, do not follow the recommended guidelines for either exercise or healthful eating.
Instead, Americans are literally busting out, taking in unprecedented calories. Dining out is on the rise, fast-food and convenience-food consumption is climbing, as is consumption of snack foods and sodas.
Fuel rules
The Japanese, who eat a low-fat diet, are generally lean. But have you ever considered that, despite eating a high-fat diet, the French remain svelte also?
It's all about portion size.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1971 and 2000, American women increased the number of calories they consumed by 22 percent (from 1,542 to 1,877 a day), while men increased their intake by 7 percent (from 2,450 to 2,618 calories).
On the other hand, 1995 federal recommendations were 1,600 calories a day for sedentary women and 2,200 a day for sedentary men. But the 2005 recommendations are 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,400 for men.
Hmmm. Which recommendation should we follow?
I'll venture to say that if we begin trending toward the CDC's earlier caloric guidelines, we'll be moving in the right direction. The French and Japanese eat roughly 700 calories less each day than we do.
Serving sizes at most American restaurants are two to five times larger than they were in the 1970s. Even our dinner plates have been super-sized from 8 inches to 12 inches.
A lesson from the Amish
The Amish community is yet another example of what we should follow. That population has an obesity level of 4 percent.
Amish men do a reported 10 hours of vigorous work per week and walk an average of 18,425 steps a day. Amish women perform more moderate activities, but they, too, manage a hefty 14,196 steps a day. The average American? A mere 5,000 steps a day.
So what are you waiting for? It's time to dust off the sneakers, get physical and let your body talk. *