Savage Inequalities
...being reminded of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With statistics stating that obesity has increased in the past fifteen years by more than 50 per cent in 6- to 11-year-olds and by 40 per cent among 12- to 17-year-olds, it is vital that society realizes this is a serious concern. While the number of overweight children continues to increase in North America, professionals are beginning to issue some interesting facts regarding obesity. Here is some evidence that things have definitely changed: Firstly, today's size 10 was sold as a women's size 14 in the 1940's (Nifong, 1999). Secondly, a research team from York University and the University of Toronto calculated the economic costs of a largely sedentary population by examining seven diseases that are related to physical inactivity: chronic artery disease, stroke, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. It was estimated that physical inactivity among Canadians cost $2.1 billion in 1999. ("Facts about Physical Inactivity and Childhood Obesity," n.d.) Lastly, data compiled by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada indicates that between 42 per cent and 63 per cent of obese school-aged children will become obese adults. ("Facts about Physical Inactivity and Childhood Obesity," n.d.)
While this issue may not have been of importance twenty years ago, today it is major concern. Even though there are many factors which contribute to a child reaching the point of obesity such as nutrition, social influences, age, class, genetics, etc., it is important to focus on the outcomes. The benefits of eating well and doing daily physical exercise do not only benefit one's heart and body, but they also extend to one's mind. Maintaining a healthy weight is detrimental to a child's overall self-esteem and school performance.
The importance of...
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