Among Americans -young and old alike- obesity has reached epidemic proportions.  It is believed that one out of every three teenagers is obese and even more adults.  This means he/she weighs 20% over the normal ideal weight for someone of his/her height, age, and body build.

Researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development warn that "obesity and lack of exercise in young people is setting the stage for diabetes, and other health related problems" such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Yet at the same time that Americans are "Super Sizing" their intake of food, schools are downsizing the number of physical education classes provided.  School budget cuts and increased attention on standardized testing at every grade level have resulted in exercise becoming education's "second class citizen."  In elementary schools across the nation it is estimated that students receive an average of 25 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous physical exercise. Fitness experts claim that children and teens alike need six to ten times that amount for body and mind wellness.

One 20 year study ending in 2000 supports this claim.  It found that teenagers have gotten fatter and fatter over the years...not because they were eating more but because they were exercising less.

Not only this but the food that schools are serving to our kids inmost cases is far from healthy.  Greasy (but cheap) foods like burgers, fries, chips, chicken nuggets, soda and candy are the main staples at most schools.  Some schools, desperate for money after funding cuts, have even made deals with junk food companies like Coke and Pepsi in order to get a portion of the profits from vending machines and sales in the school.  Healthier food plans are available (and in some cases comparably priced) and now we’re seeing some schools trying them out.  In some places like Massachusetts, laws regulating diet and exercise in schools are even being floated- but are still far from going into effect.  

Whether today's Americans are overeating, eating the wrong kinds of food, or under-exercising the result is the same.  Too many of us are too fat for their own good.

This weighty problem poses a real danger not only to physical health but to emotional health as well.  The culture in which we live worships at the "thin is in" alter.  This media driven value puts the sense of self worth, security and success of "fat" adolescents and adults at risk.