Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
So one of my summer online courses is a health class. Most of our grade comes from disscussions on a board. This week is asking if we feel that a tax on junkfood will cure the obesity epidemic. It is amazing to see the number of college kids that think simply eliminating a candy bar will cure obesity! I have been posting responses like crazy, even though two is the requirement. I know that people are pretty closed minded on the subject, but to see it in writing is very thought provoking. Not only are obese people under educated in nutrition, but the general public is under educated in the disease of obesity. If junk food is the only cause of obesity, then someone was secretly stuffing me with snickers while I slept! Lol. Even my nut told me my diet was not bad, that my weight was brought on by secondary issues. Obviously is I could have cut my calories to 500 a day 10 years ago, I would not be starting this journey now, but I did not have access to covered medical care at that time to help monitor my overall well being though the long course to come.
1. We as a society are always looking for the quick fix... Hence, fast food, chips, candy bars, soda...
2. We as a society don't know how to cook healthy.... We cook how we were taught... And then we make them into BIG size portions...
3. It is very costly to eat healthy... A lot of folks can't afford to feed their families as it is... So they eat a lot of pasta, ramon noodles, cereal, and canned foods which are high in sodium....
4. We need to educate people... I am guilty of all of these at one time or another... I like to bake, not cook, therefore I would fix hot dogs, or spagetti, or tuna casserole, or any comfort food.... And I got obese from it....
I am not sure what the answer is... Even educating people isn't enough until it becomes a problem for them... I think our welfare programs should restrict what people buy... I wish there were a way to provide the food, and not the stamps... This would force people to eat better... But then you take away their freedom...
I guess when it comes down to it, everyone has to want to be healthy and make the changes or get the education... That is what happened to me....
I think I will just leave it at... No simple answer.... HUGE (is that a pun!?) societal problem....