Eating ourselves into illness

We are fortunate in our culture and place in society that, as comparatively affluent Americans, we can choose carefully what and when we eat.  It would seem that, for many of us, that means 'a lot' and 'anytime'.  I mean, look at the size of us.  

It seems that from the time the phrase 'Supersize it' came into our nomenclature, it has gone from referring to food portions to our asses.  Not just sad, but dangerous to our health and devastating to our economy.  We are being eaten alive by medical costs related to obesity; cardiovascular disease, diabetes and all the complications thereof,  arthritis, joint deterioration, reproductive problems, accidents and cancer.

When I look at the children of today, I am often looking at overweight kids who have never spent a full day outside, children who view television and computer games as main hobbies, kids who have limited proprioception, and young folks with distorted and negative body images.  I remember when common sights at high schools were trim adolescents with sleek bodies that hinted at the men and women they would become.  Now, more and more often, I see overweight kids bulging in too tight clothing.  We have even coined a phrase to describe the phenomenon; 'muffin top'.  That makes me sad, as a mom, as a nurse, and as a child loving person.