Lately there has been a lot of focus on obesity in the United States, especially from the government. Following Jamie Oliver's example from "Food Revolution," many cities, counties, states, and even the federal government are addressing the problem of obesity. When I first heard that the new federal health care bill will soon required restaurants to make calorie counts readily available to their customers I was ecstatic. I think this was something that needed to be done a long time ago, because people go to a restaurant and order a salad and have no idea that the salad could be 800 calories. So when Texas governments began to follow in the federal governments footsteps, I was even more excited.
According to Debra King (Austin American-Statesman), 30 percent of Texas children are overweight or obese. In Lubbock, where about 38% of Lubbock County residents were obese in 2007, they are working on a healthy dining guide to provide residents with healthy choices at restaurants in the area. I know I'm guilty of this as most people are, but when I go out to eat I have no idea how many calories I am consuming. Actually, I have no idea how many calories I consume at home.
My girlfriend works for the Texas Department of State Health Services, and they provide many wellness services to their employees. She has access to a worksite wellness program which provides fitness rooms, fitness classes, and a farm to work program. I think more programs like this should be provided to employees, as it would most likely cut insurance costs because healthy employees would not have to go to the doctor as often.
It makes me happy that different levels of government are addressing the issue of obesity, but why is this all just starting now. Being overweight and obese have been problems that have been around for a long time. I think more cities and counties in Texas should jump on the healthy bandwagon and encourage their citizens to make a change in their lives.
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