OUR OBESITY EPIDEMIC
May 16th 2008 02:31
Dear Editor,
An estimated 1.5 million Australian’s under 18 are overweight. Between 1985 and 1997 the amount of obesity in the population has almost doubled. With these current rates, by 2020 it is estimated that 80% of all Australian adults and almost a third of all children will be overweight or obese. This is an enormous amount of people in any sense, but when it comes to such a serious issue it is beyond a joke. Being overweight or obese, can lead to many serious health conditions such as diabetes, breast cancer, sleep apnea, sever knee and leg joint pain or even miscarriages. The Australian people, and the world, need to know what they are doing to themselves. If your paper had information about this, you could start saving Australia’s population.
When you become overweight or obese, your chances (for children) of being bullied at school increase almost by 11%, almost double the rate for a kid of a healthy weight. The rate of depression in obese people is accelerating so fast that when people become overweight or obese, their chances of suicide increase by 150%. Because of bullying obese people are easy targets and become depressed and suicidal. Many of the cyber, physical, verbal and non-verbal bullying issues are often caused when the ‘predator’ seeks the obese ‘victims’ in the school and targets them at school and home, almost anywhere. This means that the victim can’t get away from them, they can stalk them anywhere.
Governments, schools and local councils should be more aware of the situation and take action against it. In school canteen the healthy option is almost always the expensive one. As a result kids are buying the cheaper, fattier option and paying for it. This is also a true statement for our supermarkets. Schools should be supporting kids and get rid of fatty foods. Although the canteens may lose a bit of money, it is for the greater good that they look after the young of Australia. Councils should promote healthy living and losing weight in the area and hold activity days to promote sports in the local area. For example in 2007 Moyne Shire held a bike ride, “Tour de Moyne”, which was for youths to get outside and do some activity.
If we start this trend of active and healthy living then maybe the rest would follow. This will be a huge benefit, giving Australia an excellent image, better death etc statistics and will lead the world in a healthy weight. People deserve to live healthy and have a second chance at life. We can make a difference.
By Sam Vallance.
An estimated 1.5 million Australian’s under 18 are overweight. Between 1985 and 1997 the amount of obesity in the population has almost doubled. With these current rates, by 2020 it is estimated that 80% of all Australian adults and almost a third of all children will be overweight or obese. This is an enormous amount of people in any sense, but when it comes to such a serious issue it is beyond a joke. Being overweight or obese, can lead to many serious health conditions such as diabetes, breast cancer, sleep apnea, sever knee and leg joint pain or even miscarriages. The Australian people, and the world, need to know what they are doing to themselves. If your paper had information about this, you could start saving Australia’s population.
When you become overweight or obese, your chances (for children) of being bullied at school increase almost by 11%, almost double the rate for a kid of a healthy weight. The rate of depression in obese people is accelerating so fast that when people become overweight or obese, their chances of suicide increase by 150%. Because of bullying obese people are easy targets and become depressed and suicidal. Many of the cyber, physical, verbal and non-verbal bullying issues are often caused when the ‘predator’ seeks the obese ‘victims’ in the school and targets them at school and home, almost anywhere. This means that the victim can’t get away from them, they can stalk them anywhere.
Governments, schools and local councils should be more aware of the situation and take action against it. In school canteen the healthy option is almost always the expensive one. As a result kids are buying the cheaper, fattier option and paying for it. This is also a true statement for our supermarkets. Schools should be supporting kids and get rid of fatty foods. Although the canteens may lose a bit of money, it is for the greater good that they look after the young of Australia. Councils should promote healthy living and losing weight in the area and hold activity days to promote sports in the local area. For example in 2007 Moyne Shire held a bike ride, “Tour de Moyne”, which was for youths to get outside and do some activity.
If we start this trend of active and healthy living then maybe the rest would follow. This will be a huge benefit, giving Australia an excellent image, better death etc statistics and will lead the world in a healthy weight. People deserve to live healthy and have a second chance at life. We can make a difference.
By Sam Vallance.
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Comment by Tyronne
Sydney Fun
Melbourne DiaryStar
Comment by :) :) :) :) :) :)
could be a little more engaging
but apart from that fantastic
= D