Obesity a New Hope?

As I was growing up, "everyone" smoked. The smell of smoke permeated everything and was everywhere. Though the health dangers were obvious and well document, still most people lit up all too frequently, as measured in "packs-per-day."  I remember, like Curtis in today's comics, trying to get my parents to stop smoking when I was only 6.  Yet, the US government did little by today's "control" standards to curtail the health hazard. It seemed to take forever to bring about the current changes and reality.

Did you ever, wonder "why?"

Now, we see a similar story unfolding, one which the First Lady is attempting to address. Yet, she is being attacked for her efforts to bring to the fore the health problems associated with childhood obesity.  Sunday's article in The Baltimore Sun (2/27/11), notes the backlash against her from those who "warn of Big Brother" controlling our dinner plates.  Is this their real fear? 

Certainly, we recognize that childhood obesity all too frequently results in adult obesity with the associated medical risks.  Why shouldn't we try to minimize those problems both for the individual and for society in general, for society will no doubt be picking up the associated medical bill, just as it has for many smokers.

Is there perhaps a correlation with the history of smoking? 

In answer to the first question asked above, perhaps the delay in curtailing smoking, thus letting it continue, unabated for so long, was seen as a way to curtail the other (unspoken) problem which we are currently encountering - too many old folk! (Including me and the rest of the baby boomers.)

My parent's entire generation, at least most of their friends and relatives, died from smoking related illnesses, dare I say diseases. This kept Social Security under control as fewer people were living longer lives.  (Though few could have foreseen the massive medical improvements that extended the lives of smokers, thus perhaps actually increasing overall expenses of the aging society.) The no smoking 'do gooders' ruined that balance!

Yet, have no fear - Obesity to the rescue.  

While the baby boomers may potentially be living to ripe old ages, the obesity epidemic may once again restore the balance of nature. Senior citizens will be "less senior" and collect less Social Security, etc. That is, unless the obesity 'do gooders' succeed in improving things again. Even now it is starting with all sorts of health related "controls" of this and that aspect of cooking and eating.  Ms. Obama and others are attempting to keep our children healthy and direct the public's attention to this problem.  They will likely spoil the future Social Security balance.  

Where is the American born freedom to abuse oneself?  Is it, along with so many others, gone forever?  At least with smoking, there was the issue of "second hand" smoke that could impact others, and thus the needed control for the "greater good" (though we can't possibly control CO2 for similar reasons.)  But with obesity, who besides the individuals (and of course their offspring living on the same ill-chosen diets) are being hurt?  Is this truly a "Public Health" problem?  Or, is it really a "Private Health" problem which should be sequestered until everyone has to buy two seats to ride an airplane or are forced by shear size to drive SUVs ?

It's just one of my many questions.  In the meantime, "Eat now and preserve Social Security.  May it live on!"



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