Robert Kennedy’s America
Robert Kennedy speaks to a packed Madison Square Garden crowd in October, 2024.
With the appointment of Robert Kennedy Jr as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, it appears America will finally see obesity rates decline in all age ranges among all body fat percentages. With special emphasis on children’s health, the future of wellness in America seems to be in capable hands.
For the last several years, Americans have been growing. The annual cost of obesity in the U.S. was around $173 billion in 2019. It seems with each new gadget claiming newfound convenience and each new deep fat fried concoction at fast food restaurants, a fresh percentage point slathers on to an already alarming number.
With body positivity initiatives and a healthcare system focused on treating disorders, not educating to prevent them, the danger and reality of what obesity is associated with gets lost. According to the CDC, “Obesity is serious because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. In the United States and worldwide, obesity is also associated with the leading causes of death, including deaths from diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.”
Poor mental health and reduced quality of life? The talking heads will tell you this is likely due to the shame they receive from society for being overweight, thereby affirming the need for body positivity. While it’s equally important to mind the issue of eating disorders, we must not deny the fact that being overweight is not associated with the ideals of health, as evidenced by the CDC.
Historically, it has never been a debate as to whether obesity was detrimental or not. Only recently has this come into question, and in some cases, celebrated.
From someone who used to work with individuals looking to lose weight, it was rarely all about public shame. Wanting to get healthier was more so because they couldn’t keep up with their family on walks after dinner or couldn’t get on the floor to play with their grandkids. Sure, some of it was due to public scrutiny, but the main reason for wanting to see results was more personal, like being able to complete everyday tasks they once found challenging.
Historically, it has never been a debate as to whether obesity was detrimental to health or not. Only recently has this come into question, and in some cases, celebrated. The powers that be KNOW obesity is not good for Americans, but the nearly $173 billion made from it is likely too plentiful to encourage long term health.
Every American should be alarmed by the obesity numbers. In another 20 years, given the current trajectory, we will be close to 50% of our adult population being considered “obese.” But this health crisis doesn’t just affect adults anymore. It has made its progression into the most precious asset of our society: our children.
In 1971 to 1974, the rate of childhood obesity was just 5.2% in the United States. In 2017-2020, it increased to 19.7%. We have almost quadrupled the prevalence of childhood obesity, affecting nearly 14.7 million children and teens (CDC.gov). Could this be a reason why depression, anxiety, and even suicide rates have skyrocketed since the 1970s in young people? Afterall, studies have shown BMI and depression have a direct, positive correlation and in some cases, can cause long term depressive states, especially in women.
Not only is obesity a personal issue with personal challenges, it is also a national security concern. According to the CDC, a whopping “71% of young people in the United States would not be able to join the military if they wanted to.”
It’s imperative we set our children up properly for a long, healthy life, but how do we teach our children to be healthy when we, ourselves, are becoming more overweight and sicker each year? On top of this, we have Body Positivity campaigns encouraging adults and children to settle for being obese, convincing us it’s not a question of health anymore, but of acceptance.
But the facts don’t lie. “Obesity-related conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea, and joint problems.” (CDC.gov) Allowing children to grow up in this climate, with these issues, is setting them up for future challenges that in some cases will last their entire lifetimes.
Not only is obesity a personal issue with personal challenges, but it is also a national security concern. According to the CDC, a whopping “71% of young people in the United States would not be able to join the military if they wanted to.” A recent Pentagon study showed that number to be 77%. The top three reasons for not qualifying are being overweight or obese, educational deficits or mental problems, and criminal or drug abuse record. It’s important to note that 90% of those who elect to join the military are 17 to 24 years old.
Children are spending nearly 7.5 hours in front of screens each day, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Of the 7.5 hours, 4.5 is in front of a television.
Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling from the Army stated, “The military has experienced increasing difficulty in recruiting soldiers as a result of physical inactivity, obesity, and malnutrition among our nation’s youth. Not addressing these issues now will impact our future national security.”
The Department of Defense (DOD) spends $1.5 billion each year on obesity-related issues for their current and former servicemen and women and their families. The roughly 658,000 lost workdays for active service members cost the DOD $103 million each year (CDC.gov). On top of this, earlier this year the U.S. Air Force loosened its body fat requirements necessary to enroll. According to a Fox News report, “Male recruits are now permitted to have up to 26% body fat, up from the previous requirement of 20%, while females can have 36%, up from the previous max of 28%, according to Air Force Recruiting Service spokeswoman Leslie Brown.”
A quick glance at the American Council on Exercise “Ideal Body Fat Percentage” chart reveals both of those levels are considered “obese,” especially in the age range most of these recruits are in.
Children and the Lack of Physical Activity
Children are spending nearly 7.5 hours in front of screens each day, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Of the 7.5 hours, 4.5 is in front of a television. Children two years of age and under are recommended not to use any screens, while children two and up should limit their screen time to two hours or less each day (American Academy of Pediatrics). Not only does screen time mean less physical activity, it can mean more violent behavior, more “programming,” sleep problems, and other behavioral problems.
Kids do not play outside like they used to. Parks around the country used to be full of Sandlot-esque baseball games or football games, governed solely by the children playing. Chivalry and fairness were taught the old-fashioned way, and honesty didn’t need to be refereed by a watchful parent. Between safety concerns, the overwhelming push to get children involved in organized youth sports leagues (more on this to come in future articles), and the prevalence of iPads and phones, it’s rare to see a game of 3 on 3 started by children.
A bagel in 1990 used to be about 140 calories. Nowadays you’re lucky if you can find one under 350 calories. And that’s just breakfast!
Why is food that is restricted and/or banned in other countries allowed in our homes in America? These foods can be found in homes all over the nation. Foods like Skittles, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, and Ritz Crackers are family favorites, but the food dyes, trans fats, and/or other chemicals placed in these foods are heavily restricted and even banned in other countries. Why? Why would these foods be considered safe in America for our children, but treated as toxic poison in other countries?
Not only are we facing the issue with chemically and genetically modified food, but our portion sizes have increased astronomically in the past 50 years. A bagel in 1990 used to be about 140 calories. Nowadays you’re lucky if you can find one under 350 calories. And that’s just breakfast! Look up the calories of basically any restaurant dinner item and you’ll find a day’s worth of calories in just one meal. Our system prides itself on value and convenience, and by doing so, inversely values health.
Genetics or Environment?
Often parents are quick to blame obesity on genetics, as if being overweight was passed down through the genes. The answer? It depends, and we need more research. According to Rethink Obesity, a website for healthcare professionals, studies have shown that “40% to 70% on interindividual differences in BMI are explained by genetic factors.”
This leaves 30% to 60% to the environment a child grows up in. If this is true, and genetics play the largest role in whether a person will be obese, why the enormous increase in the last 60 years? To explain this phenomenon, it makes more sense that the environment plays a more substantial role in the outcome of obesity than just 30% to 60%. In a study by Yadav & Jawahar, it was written that “Although isolated genetic factors are unlikely to explain the increasing prevalence of obesity over the last few years. Certain genetic elements and the influence of environmental conditions likely enhance the risk of obesity.” (Yadav HM, Jawahar A. Environmental Factors and Obesity. [Updated 2023 May 1])
It is true genetics play a role in obesity, but it seems too much emphasis is placed on this factor, creating a sense of helplessness in individuals. If we focused more on the environment, education, and the effectiveness of a healthy diet and sensible exercise -- instead of placing our focus on the one thing we cannot change -- it could help start to shift the future generations of America.
Creating Lasting Change
It is imperative we get our own health in check as a country so it can trickle down to our children. Children have demonstrated they learn effectively through modeling and observation. The best way for parents to help children lose weight is to lose weight themselves, showing the children they value their own health and wellness enough to act. When a child sees his or her parents engaging in physical activity, it indicates to the child how important being active is.
Not only that, parents who eat healthy diets generally feed their children healthier food. Active time is a great time to bond with children as well, over a game of basketball or a walk after dinner to talk about the day. In this technological society, which makes it easy to be connected online, it’s more important to take the time to put down the devices and have one on one conversations. Instead of propping up the Body Positivity campaigns -- which can overlook the health implications of being overweight and mental health issues associated with it -- why not prop up healthy foods, reasonable workouts (no need to go crazy!), and putting less of an emphasis on technology, which has many more detrimental effects on young people these days.
Exercise is the best anti-depressant, not only in my opinion, but as evidenced by numerous studies showing that young people who exercise have better mental health, a more positive self-image, and lower levels of depression. Studies have shown this to be true even two years later. It would be so nice to see doctors prescribing exercise instead of being so quick to prescribe antidepressants or healthy foods instead of pills. The shift from treatment to prevention could change an entire generation.
The latest craze: Ozempic and Wegovy
In October 2024, Bernie Sanders, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing on the pricing of Ozempic and Wegovy, arguing that over 40,000 Americans could be saved if they had access to the controversial weight loss drugs. The manufacturer of both drugs, Novo Nordisk, has collected about $50 billion in profit.
The list of side effects from these two products is staggering! Videos of unhappy customers have begun to hit social media, causing many would be users to think twice. It makes you wonder how much money would be made off the side effects of the initial drug, otherwise known as residual income. Perhaps they will make another drug to counter the side effects of the initial drug?
Kennedy’s health legacy begins now
Instead of continuing to make money on the dis-ease of Americans, when will our leaders and health officials look for more holistic, affordable and lasting options such as exercise and diet? It appears that time is now and the person who is going to do it is Bobby Kennedy.
We must value the health of our country not by seeking the next quick fix or weight loss pill, but through good old-fashioned healthy food and physical activity. Parents need to take immediate action to combat this health crisis, and it begins with them. It’s not easy to get started, but we have the best reason to take the first steps.
Our lives, our children’s lives, and the future of our country, depend on it.
