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OBESITY VERSUS COVID
THE REAL PANDEMIC Everyone has been affected by COVID. We have never faced anything like this before in our time on this earth. I am not a doctor but I have a few things I would like to share with you. When the pandemic hit, the one important factor that stood out to me was that if you have health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung conditions, your susceptibility increases as well as a higher risk of more serious effects, possibly even death. More simply put those of us who keep our health at a priority in our lives have less risk. Is this what it takes for the masses to take their health more seriously? This is the campaign we should be focused on. It also seems to me that if we LOVE ourselves we would take better care of ourselves. You didn’t expect that did you? If I love myself why wouldn’t I make better choices for myself in terms of food, exercise and sleep? Those better choices will result in being healthier. You may say “I love myself - I just have to work hard to provide for myself and my family”. Well how about working smarter and taking care of your health so your family has you around longer to enjoy life together? In the 1970’s the obesity rate was 15% of America. In 2016 the obesity rate was 45%. Billions of dollars were spent on programs to curb these numbers, to help America help themselves. The contradiction was it was more expensive to eat healthier; FDA actions were not aligned with those messages; and education to low-income groups was not stressed enough. As of January 2022 73% of America is considered obese. Obesity is a pandemic but what are we doing about it? Disease affiliated with obesity: Type 2 diabetes Gallbladder disease
Infertility Fatty liver disease
High blood pressure High cholesterol
Heart disease Chronic lower back pain
Certain cancers (breast, colon, and endometrial) Arthritis Stroke Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea and other breathing problems
Not a very pretty list but each of these associated with obesity are preventable. Even if you are genetically predisposed to one or more of these it is still preventable. I believe this is the message that should be promoted to America.
I have several clients, family members, and friends who are suffering new medical issues due to either the coronavirus disease or the vaccine for the virus. There is so much the medical community does not know about this disease but what they do know is that your health must be the priority not the virus.
This disease will be around for a long time. It comes in many forms and keeps recreating itself. The facts remain the same: poor health results in greater risks from the disease.
Back in the 1980’s when exercise became “a thing” mostly because it was a huge trend happening, lots of fun, and a great social outlet. Not so much for our health. Many of us fitness professionals tried to bring that information to the forefront of our message. Now this “fitness craze” is at 4.4 trillion dollars and estimated to hit 7 trillion by 2025. I believe it's mostly due to consumers being more educated, accessibility, vanity, trends, social demands of appearances and corporate demands of “being fit”. Combine that with the fact of baby boomers being one of the highest populations in the world with people living longer. They-we want to maintain our freedom, control medical expenses and keep enjoying life in these later years. One step in prevention is all it takes – 20 minutes 3-4 times a week and cut back on sugar. Do you love yourself “enough” or will you hide out hoping the “virus” won’t get you? Cheryl Patella, February 2022 patella.cap@gmail.com cherylapatella.com