Opinion Topic
Why Your City Planner Is Making You Fat
If we as Americans do one thing well, it's gaining weight. NIH data shows that two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and one-third are obese. Of course we have all heard the usual "lack of diet and exercise" mantra about weight gain. Data certainly backs up our increasingly sedentary lifestyle, such as the fact that the average United States household now spends roughly 8 hours a day with the television on. That being said, what if there was more to the story?The United States is falling victim to a systematic elimination of the neighborhood. Shopping is occurring more and more at large retail chains (i.e. Walmart, Home Depot, Costco) which require tremendous real estate. Therefore city planners are favoring the creation of sprawling commercial centers where numerous such chains can be built in close proximity to one another, and allow for one-stop shopping.
A Fatal Lack of Data
I've been looking into violent deaths lately. And now I understand a few things. Mostly, I understand what we don't know about violent death in the United States. For instance, consider one of the most horrific kinds of violent death -- mass shootings in public places like malls and offices and schools.How often does this happen somewhere in the United States?Nobody knows.
Breaking News – Exercise is Good for You!
Wow. Wow. Wow. I'm a little bit speechless after reading Domhnall Macauley's article, Olympic Games will bring health gains to the non-sporting public, says Princess Anne. To make a short article even shorter, let me summarize:* Exercise is good for you. * Doctor claims that obesity may partially be a reflection of the operations of our current society. * Exercise can help "cure" depression. * Enjoying a particular exercise makes it more likely that you will stick with the exercise.Now I'm not undermining the importance of any of the above statements mentioned by various professionals at a British Medical Association exercise and health conference. It's just that... well, come on, isn't this all old news?
Vaccines – A Two-Edged Sword
Recently, I accompanied my sister to a pediatrician's office -- for the first (of many) vaccination appointment for her twin 8-week old girls. Fortunately for my sister, the nightmare ended after a few pokes of the needle and a few throaty bawls of protest. Sadly, not every parent's ordeal ends the same way. Each day, parents around the world take their children on this routine with faith that this will protect their children against deadly and potentially life threatening infections. But what if this very tool that is intended to protect becomes a lethal source of disability?
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Comments
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