New York State like the rest of the nation is faced with increasing overweight and obesity rates in both its children and adults. Without any intervention, children are predicted to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. As a means to preventing and reducing these rates New York State has developed a Strategic Plan for Overweight and Obesity Prevention, which promotes healthy eating habits and at least 30 minutes of daily moderate physical activity.
“The goals and objectives of this plan seem quite lofty,” said Asha Bobb-Semple, a 24-year-old Queens’ resident. “I hope that for all our sakes these do not just remain ‘goals’ but are actually implemented soon.”
According to the CDC‘s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) the obesity trend in adult New Yorkers who are 5’4″ and overweight by 30lbs was 20%-24% in 2005-more than doubled the 1985 percentage.
Even worse, children as young as 2 years old are suffering with this very epidemic. In fact, trends in overweight and obesity in both children and adolescents from ages 2- 19 years are alarming. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) the trends show that obesity rates have almost tripled in 2004 when compared to 1971 data.
Finding affordable ways for both children and adults to be involved in physical activities have become much easier. For the self-disciplined, strolls in the park, biking and even climbing stairs instead of using the elevators can provide the required amount of exercise. For the less motivated, New York City offers membership to its Recreational Facilities in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan. Some of the facilities offered are swimming pools, basketball courts, gyms, dance studios, game rooms and even after-school programs for the children. The annual fee for seniors (55 and up) is $10; adults (18 and up) is $50 for those facilities without indoor pools and $75 for those with pools; for youths under 18, all facilities are free. For classes like aerobics that require an instructor, an additional fee might be added but would still cost less than enrolment in a private gym, which can often exceed $80 a month.
In addition, the Brownsville Recreation Center in Brooklyn offers a program called Live Light, Live Right that incorporates both healthy eating habits and physical activity for the entire family. “It’s an opportunity for parents and their children to learn about eating the right foods,” said Jerry Childs, Deputy Center Manager, “ while doing physical activities together.”
 Even as scientists do more research into the benefits of exercise, the need for New Yorkers to incorporate it into their daily lives continues to rise. According to Eric Nagourney, writing in the New York Times, “Exercise, researchers have found over the years, appears to help people fight the natural memory loss that comes with aging.”
It is sad that in America out biggest problem is obesity. Americans are consuming more food than they should. In other countries their biggest concern is if they’re going to have food to eat for that day.
The schools should start to provide better lunches for the children. The parents should also be educated on the effects of overweight children.