Generational Obesity Epidemic

Science Daily released an article this week, expressing concern that overweight women give birth to children who in turn become even heavier, thus creating a generational obesity epidemic. The article states:

“‘There is an obesity epidemic in the United States and it’s increasingly recognized as a worldwide phenomenon,” said Dr. Robert A. Waterland, assistant professor of pediatrics — nutrition at BCM and lead author of the study that appears in the International Journal of Obesity.”

It is a pretty scary thought to think that women, mothers in particular, are contributing to this epidemic of obesity linked from one generation to the next. This made me wonder…what can we mothers do to prevent this from happening? Here are some of my thoughts on the matter.

Stop What You’re Doing

The best way to put an end to generational obesity is to simply stop your bad eating habits now. But that’s not always as easily done as it is said. The only way to stop is to take your own health seriously, once and for all.

If you are not a mother yet, but would like to become a mother one day, you cannot afford to live a renegade life. You must start thinking now about the health and well-being of your unborn child(ren).

If you already have children and you’re still overweight and unhealthy, you have to seriously take your health into consideration. Why would you continue living this way? At some point, you have to take a good look at yourself, throw away all the negative inner talk and just get up and be proactive in your own life, with your own health and weight.

Start What You’re Not Doing

Another thing you have to do is start incorporating healthy lifestyle habits right now. It’s easy to say that you’ll get healthier–later. That’s just not good enough.

Today is the day. Today you must start doing all the things you haven’t been doing:

• Consciously planning more nutritious meals at home
• Introducing fun forms of exercise to your family or significant other
• Get excited about losing weight, feeling better, and being healthier

It’s Up To Us, Mothers

I could sit here and list every reason in the book why you need to get healthier, or how to do it. The obvious truth is all these things will never make you get up and do it.

I decided three months ago that I was tired of being overweight. More importantly I determined that if my children are going to live healthy lives, it will be because I have set the example before them. You know what they say: You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

Are you afraid you will pass your obesity on to your children?

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715104939.htm

Special thanks to Beth Bartlett, who so graciously suggested the title for this blog entry! Thank you, my Plurk buddy!

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