The Obesity Epidemic

CNN.com - Report: Obesity will reverse life expectancy gains - Mar 16, 2005: "U.S. life expectancy will fall dramatically in coming years because of obesity, a startling shift in a long-running trend toward longer lives, researchers contend in a report published Thursday."

You may have seen this report in the news lately. It is no surprise that obesity is not good for you, but the alarming trends of increasing obesity may finally tip the scale (no pun intended) and actually lower our average life span. Although the critics of this report may be correct that it does not present the whole story, the increased rates of obesity in adults and particularly in children reflect a disturbing trend in our culture and something should be done to stop it.

CNN.com - Report: Obesity will reverse life expectancy gains - Mar 16, 2005: "Dr. David Ludwig of Children's Hospital Boston, a study co-author, cited sobering obesity statistics:
Two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese; one-third of adults qualify as obese.
Up to 30 percent of U.S. children are overweight, and childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 25 years.
Childhood diabetes has increased 10-fold in the past 20 years."

These statistics are simply unacceptable. Often I have heard the argument that obesity is simple genetic and nothing can be done for it. However, the rise in obesity in children over the past 25 years indicates to me that this is not the case. Unless, of course, someone would like to argue that the obesity gene is dominant and those carrying it are just having lots of babies? As that does not seem plausible, it would seem that the environment and personal behaviors are to blame. People are not teaching their children to be healthy or encouraging good behaviors. It is the responsibility of the parents to keep their children healthy. Sadly, with the number of overweight adults, there seems to be a lack of adequate role models for personal responsibility and healthy living. [My Thoughts on Personal responsibility to come soon!]

On the other hand, the NAAFA has the following thoughts on physical fitness:

NAAFA Policy on PHYSICAL FITNESS: "The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance asserts that individual fitness can be achieved despite a relatively high ratio of fat-to-lean body mass and affirms that fitness is a desirable and attainable goal for most fat people. Different physiques and levels of fitness are appropriate for different people. NAAFA demands that fat people have the opportunity to become fit in an environment safe from prejudice and harassment."

While I agree wholeheartedly that fat people should have the opportunity to become fit in an environment safe from prejudice and harassment, there are several points in the NAAFA policy with which I do not agree. First, their website indicates that they resolve to "encourage fat people to strive for optimum fitness levels in accordance with their health goals". There is no indication of what health goals should be. In addition, the statement implies that people are incapable of becoming fit because people make fun of them. To me, this seems like a flimsy excuse. I am not particularly coordinated and there are people who ridicule me when I go to an aerobics or yoga class. I do not consider this a reason to not go. I continue to go in hopes that I will improve (so far, not much luck). Now, this does not make it alright for people to ridicule fat people or clumsy people.

Now, you may be asking yourself why I care so much about fat people. Why don't I just mind my own business? Well, I will tell you. First, there is the cost to society. The costs for health care, insurance, and lost productivity cannot even be adequately computed. But, they are no doubt considerable. I am not addressing here the small portion of the population who truly have a health problem which prevents them from losing weight. I am talking about the overwhelming majority of the overweight/obese population where is a matter of self control. Our society should not have to pay because they feel like eating a cheeseburger everyday. Second, it is my concern for the children. It is not fair for a child to never learn healthy habits and be stuck in a cycle the rest of their life. It simply isn't right.

To summarize my thoughts on this issues: (1) People should raise their children to be healthy. (2) Genetics and ridicule are not good enough excuses to account for the large number of large people in our nation. (3) It is bad for society as a whole for such a large portion to not take responsibility for their own health or the health of their children.

Joel Osteen is a bad man

Recently, I was watching television on Sunday morning and came across Joel Osteen. Living in Houston, I had heard of Lakewood Church before but had never really paid much attention. Well, it has my attention now. To get started, here is a little bit about Joel:

Joel Osteen Ministries: About Us: "Joel Osteen has quickly become a leading voice for a new generation of ministers. After becoming Senior Pastor in October of 1999, Lakewood Church has more than quadrupled its weekly attendance and is one of America's most diverse churches. According to Forbes.com and Outreach magazine Lakewood is the largest and fastest growing congregation in America with over 28,000 in attendance each weekend."

To be clear, I do not doubt Joel's ability to inspire people with his message of positive thinking and hard work. These are, in themselves, not bad messages. They are, however, not the message of the Bible or the message of Christianity. I have chosen to take my thoughts on Joel Osteen to the internet (and finally start the blog I have been thinking about) based on the challenge from Michael Spencer:

Michael Spencer: Outing Joel Osteen: A Challenge to the Evangelical Blogosphere: "I want to challenge the Christian Blogosphere to devote at least one substantial post to outing Joel Osteen. Why is a man who doesn't preach the gospel the most popular preacher in America? Are we going to take note of what kind of message is going to be identified as building the largest church in America? In short, who in the blogosphere is willing to stand up and say 'Joel Osteen's message of positive thinking as a way to God's favor isn't the Christian Gospel.'"

Since my first exposure to the teachings of Joel Osteen, I have found myself watching every Sunday morning. My reaction is twofold - first, I am angry; then, I am sad. My anger is stirred by the flagrant misuse of Scripture to support a doctrine which disregards the heart of Christianity. I am appalled to hear half a verse, taken out of context, used to support the belief that if you try hard enough or want it bad enough, God will reward you. There is no mention of Christ's sacrifice or our sin and need for salvation. In this church, God is merely a tool to help us become happier, wealthier, healthier. There is talk of overcoming addictions, improving your marriage, and overcoming illness. So far, I have not heard talk of salvation, heaven, or any reward beyond this life. There is certainly nothing to be heard of the reality that sacrifices may be necessary to follow Christ.

At the end of each program, my anger turns to sadness. This is the time for the call to salvation. Joel has viewers pray a two line prayer and then tells them that they are born again. I ask myself - how could someone truly come to know Christ if the Gospel is diluted into a simple prayer? How could you truly be born again without learning of Christ's sacrifice or what it means to be His disciple? The false hope that this could give to someone who as never heard the Truth breaks my heart. I feel for those who believe what Joel teaches - I wonder how many have fallen away from any sort of faith when they feel they have tried as hard as they could and wanted as much as they could, and yet the promised rewards do not come.

In thinking of the disappointment that would result and the despair that comes from not truly knowing God, my sadness quickly turns back to anger and outrage. How can this man hold himself out as a preacher of God's Word? How can this pep rally be called church? I guess some answers will have to be left for God to sort out.