McDonalds Hurts

This is the third year that I have shown SuperSize Me to my 9th grade health classes. I am not thrilled with the handout that I have to accompany the film but the last question I ask is: Will this film change your eating habits in going to fast food restaurants? Explain your answer.

Right now the answers are running about 60/40 favoring Yes. I think that's good, better than I expected, however, it's one thing to be affected by something immediately after watching a film, but 2 months later, a year, not so much. Habits and peer pressure override logic and good intentions so people routinely act in ways they know are not in their best interests.

For teens there is still the feeling of omnipotence that most thankfully outgrow in their 20's. There is also I think a fair amount of denial going on about being overweight. Out of my 195 or so students, I probably have 25-35 students that are 20 or more pounds overweight, (a few a lot more than 20 lbs).

The scary part is that my students are 14 and 15 years old. How much will they weigh at 18 or 25? My school is not unique either as overweight is the "new normal". Is McDonalds to blame? Yes, but only partly. Who else? Some blame also goes to PepsiCo, which is a food conglomerate that owns Mountain Dew, Lays chips, Gatorade, Cheetos, Doritos, Tostitos, well- you get the picture. Who else is to blame? Direct TV, Apple, MTV and quite a few others that market 24/7 entertainment choices to young and old alike. Why get exercise when I can sit in my bedroom, eat chips, drink soda, not do my homework and text my BFF until my thumbs are sore?

All across the US kids are spending more time eating junk, drinking junk, playing video games, texting, watch videos, updating their Facebook page, THAN THEY ARE walking, running, playing sports, eating fruit, drinking water and reading for pleasure. A lot more time.

Flabby bodies, and it appears flabby minds as test scores and graduation rates can attest. While we have been discussing obesity and nutrition now 8 school days into the new semester, in every class students have asked "can't you just have an operation? That stomach thing?" Just 5 years ago my students saw liposuction as the solution to overweight. Today, gastric by-pass. It apparently worked for "that guy" in the SuperSize Me video. I generally stop the video then and say "Yes, and his next operation will be a quintuple by-pass for his heart, unless he dies in route to the hospital."

I can't wait for 2025 when parents will choose prenatally the genetics for their kids, virtually eliminating all the undesirable characteristics. Until then, pass the chips, salsa, and the Double Gulp. I'm thirsty from all the YouTube videos I've watched today.

How to Begin?

Congratulations, you have already begun by taking an interest in gaining more control over your life. A change in attitude generally precedes a behavior change, and that is what we are talking about here.

http://calorielab.com/news/2005/05/30/teens-definition-of-normal-weight-on-the-upward-creep/

Here (above) is the link to that "pretty in pink" girl from the previous blog, but it's not just about her. It's about the fact that there are soooo many that are overweight and many don't see themselves that way. How come? Because OVERWEIGHT is the new normal.

Anyhow, back to our How to Begin topic. It starts with a measurable goal that will PUSH you a little bit. You know it can't be something too easy... My Goal is to do 3 sit-ups today, nor should it be too hard. My goal is I'm going to get 5 hours of exercise today, including 1500 crunches!

This goal should also have a timeframe... as in weekly, or monthly, or by a specific date. Examples include:

• Play soccer or basketball at least 12 times in March


• Lose 7 lbs by April 15


• Eat 4 apples and 3 bananas every week for the next 4 weeks


• Eat breakfast 6 of every 7 days (a week) for the next 28 days


• Walk/jog 15 minutes at least 10 times in March

The first sample goal is pretty straightforward and won't take as much planning as say the second one. The LOSE 7 LBS BY MARCH 28 is a goal that can be achieved in many different ways. Regardless of the goal, be sure to WRITE IT DOWN and keep is somewhere you will see it often. This will keep your mind on it and it will become more than just an idea, easily thought up - easily forgotten.

Once written down, start writing a SPECIFIC PLAN. What days of the week will you do this? -whatever this is.

In writing down your plan, include STEP 3 with it-- Recruit others. Will you have a veggie buddy, or a soccer friend, or will it be your mother who will be buying the fruit you will be eating? Anyhow, get planning and thinking, and get writing even if it's just a brainstorm or rough draft and I'll be back soon with another dumb picture and more things to think about.

And don't forget to wear your seatbelts!

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