SETTING AN EXAMPLE

     It’s a dichotomy as expansive as the Grand Canyon. 
 

     I’m talking about the current problem of obesity as a number one health concern among American’s youth, versus the ever present issue of anorexia ravaging young women across the United States.
 

     Both health problems affect predominately the same group— young women from their teens into their twenties.  Both are driven by a media-absorbed society that celebrates an almost shapeless form as the ultimate woman’s body, while shoving a double helping of fries and fat-laden burgers down our consumer’s throats. 
 

     Overweight teens carry the burden of early onset diabetes and rising heart disease that disable and destroy their developing bodies.  Anorexics suffer the pangs of starvation and organ damage that can ultimately lead to death.  And while medical studies and statistics on both maladies are regularly highlighted by the media, somehow as a nation we still aren’t getting the message.
 

    Last years anorexic related passing of runway model Ana Carolina Reston definitely served as a high profile wake-up call  As a result, the fashion industry, which often sets the standard for bodily perfection, is slowly taking steps to prohibit deathly thin models onto runways.  Further, a few forward thinking industry related companies are now featuring more realistic looking women in their advertising promotions and programming.
 

     Concerning childhood obesity, the increase in related illnesses is forcing government agencies and private sector organizations/businesses to educate all of us and require healthier food choices for children both at school and at home.  In tandem, more exercise and less TV/internet/video games are being promoted as a coordinated means of slimming down America’s youth.
 

     Yet from my perspective, some of the responsibility for this polarized quandary can be tied directly to us.  The “you and me” who patronize merchants promoting beauty as enlarged chests and non existent waist, hips and legs—the “we” who choose to take the fast food easy route for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 

     We need to teach our children, and remind ourselves, that our bodies are remarkable creations to be properly cared for and respected.  We need to re-enforce the reality that the true value of any person, male or female, is in the whole package of body, heart and soul.  We need to set role model examples of healthier eating and exercise habits and steadfastly refuse to celebrate the runway model standard of perfection for our bodies promoted in the media, the arts and retailers across the country.
 

     We need to help our youth learn so that they can teach the generations to follow by their words and actions, rather than as tragic examples.

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