| Poverty And Obesity: A New Study Finds | | | | healthproblems we worry about at greater rates." |
| A Remarkable Connection | | | | The five states with the highest obesity ratesin |
| While the rich and the affluent still face manyof | | | | the 2005 consensus include Mississippi, |
| the problems that come with the "king'slifestyle", | | | | Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana and |
| a new pattern is emerging in the | | | | Kentucky. |
| United States and, predictions state, Europe. | | | | These same five states have higher ratesof |
| A new study shows that the trend of ill-healthand | | | | poverty than the national norm. |
| obesity is shifting rapidly to the poor andless | | | | Meanwhile, the five states with the lowestobesity |
| educated portions of the country. | | | | have less poverty. They are Colorado, |
| The reason this is important to us all, otherthan a | | | | Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and |
| concern for our nation's health as awhole, is the | | | | Vermont. |
| economic strain this will placeon our already | | | | Each of these states also have more |
| burdened health care system. | | | | collegegraduates and stronger education programs. |
| By the year 2012, if this trend increases, | | | | Education in health and fitness does notneed to be |
| themiddle and upper classes will be looking | | | | expensive, and it certainly doesnot take a rocket |
| atmassive increases in taxes to fund | | | | scientist to figure it out. |
| proposedgovernment plans to address the | | | | However, many fitness professionals andnutrition |
| problem. | | | | 'gurus' lend that impression. |
| This is a problem that flat-out does NOT needto | | | | If you visit a gym today, especially in alarger city, |
| exist. Everyone who can afford food at 'all'can | | | | you'll see a myriad of devicesthat, frankly, would |
| easily eat healthy and exercise. | | | | give you a better workoutif you tried to pick |
| Part of the confusion is due to the fact that | | | | them up and move themout to the garbage |
| thebillion dollar fitness industry has created amyth | | | | dump. |
| -- that expensive food supplements andorganic | | | | It can be daunting and confusing for anyone! |
| foods are mandatory for good health. | | | | But, this doesn't have to be the case. In fact,as |
| While I believe in both, neither are mandatory. | | | | so many people report in "Fit Over 40",workouts |
| It's the TYPE of food, and the COMBINATIONof | | | | can be done in your own homethat will more than |
| the foods that make all the difference -- that,and | | | | satisfy the needs ofmost people. |
| moderate calories, exercise, and propermental | | | | The same goes for nutrition. While a fewpeople |
| disposition. | | | | require "high-tech", expensive foods |
| This is covered in detail in the best-sellinge-book, | | | | (for medical reasons usually), the vastmajority of |
| "Fit Over 40", by Jon Benson and | | | | us can easily get the job doneat the local grocery |
| Tom Venuto, CSCS. | | | | store. |
| Get it here -- | | | | The best way to inspire change is to |
| In regards to the study, Dr. Janet Collins of the | | | | createchange in yourself. Start there, set |
| Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhad | | | | theexample, and the word will spread. |
| this to say -- | | | | Anyone can be fit and healthy, and theycan do it |
| "Populations are no longer equal in terms | | | | at ANY age, and at ANY incomelevel above |
| ofexperiencing health problems. | | | | absolute poverty. |
| Low-incomepopulations tend to experience all the | | | | |