Posted September 1, 2005

     In a way, Labor Day weekend is an informal “New Year”.  The most obvious example is the resumption of school years at all levels, including the 100,000 (or more) college students that will move into Boston this weekend. 

     Vacations are mostly over with.  Businesses resume activities ranging from hiring to exhibiting at conventions.  Politicians begin hitting the rubber-chicken circuit once again.

     So, making resolutions is not as far-fetched as it may seem.

     South Boston Online has a suggestion for you (as you might have guessed).

     It is increasingly important that Americans get back in shape.  Well over half of Americans are overweight and out of condition.  About one in five of us can be described by that dreary word “obese”.

     What is more alarming is that children and teenagers share in this problem – big time.  Unfortunately, when a tendency towards overweight starts early in life, it is extremely difficult to overcome later on. 

     Some call this an “epidemic”, which is a strong word.  But think about it – when more than half of the population has a health problem, and when it affects both old and young alike, perhaps “epidemic” is accurate.

     Schools have caught on to the problem.  There are many schools that will soon ban soft drink machines in their corridors and lunchrooms.  This is good.  Support your children’s schools in removing useless calories from their offerings.  But remember, that’s only one step in resolving the problem.  A concerted effort on the part of families and the young members of these families is needed as well.

     We are not talking about becoming rail-thin fashion models.  That’s as unhealthy as obesity.  We’ll let the fashion statements be made by the glossy magazines and Dove’s “Real Curves” advertisements.  The rest of us live in the real world.

     We are not talking about becoming “pumped”, with all the connotations of extreme physical exercise as well as use of performance enhancing drugs.  That’s a symptom of the boomer mentality of “more is better”. And it’s also unhealthy.

     None of us at South Boston Online are nutrition experts, so we can’t help you distinguish between the many, many diets you are always hearing about.  Even the FDA recently flip-flopped its food pyramid, based on new findings.  But it appears from the literature that the old standbys of healthy eating are still effective:  balanced meals, lots of fruit and vegetables, lean meat, whole grains and beans, and easy on the consumption of fats, sweets, fried foods, and processed starchy foods.  That kind of healthy eating has to start at home.

     Coupled to this need for better eating is the need for regular exercise.  That doesn’t necessarily mean athletic programs.  Just leave the car at home and walk more.  And unplug the TV and computers except for a few planned hours of viewing.

     Also, young people in general aren’t getting enough sleep.  With modern school systems starting their classes insanely early, most kids should be in bed (not just starting to get ready) no later than 10 p.m., in order to get the recommended eight hours of sleep.

     The alternate is the risk of disease, including type 2 diabetes, which is on the increase among teenagers.  It’s only a first step, but let’s get rid of soft drink sales in schools.