Posted on 03/01/2006 4:57:57 AM PST by Rennes Templar
WASHINGTON (Feb. 28) - Former President Clinton, a reformed overeater, urged state governors on Tuesday to embrace a long-term effort to change the nation's culture of too much food and too little exercise.
He warned the governors that failure to change the nation's eating habits will weaken the economy and threaten the lives of its children.
"We have a huge cultural problem and unless we change it our children may grow up to be the first generation with shorter lifespans than we had," the former Arkansas governor told the National Governors Association at the last day of its annual winter meeting.
His pleas were heard by receptive governors who have already embarked on a multistate effort to share ideas and innovations in schools, workplaces and state offices that target the growth in obesity and diabetes.
Obesity rates have tripled over the past 40 years for children and adolescents from ages 6 through 19, raising their risk of risks of type 2 diabetes and a range of other diseases. The rise of diabetes among young people has caused the medical community to change its terminology - what used to be called adult onset diabetes is now type 2 diabetes, because it's turning up in children as young as 9, Clinton said.
Halting the rising obesity rates must be part of a larger challenge to the rising costs of health care, he said. If the country could reduce U.S. spending on health care - now 16 percent of the gross domestic product - down to 11 percent, the most other countries spend, it could save $700 billion.
Clinton asked governors to participate in a new school-focused program his foundation has helped launch which aims to improve the nutritional value of food served in cafeterias and vending machines, increase physical activity, provide health lessons and promote staff wellness.
The work won't be easy, because food - especially pre-made, processed food - has remained relatively cheap even as other parts of modern life have become more expensive. More research is needed on the role of different ingredients in food, like the reliance on fructose, he said. Health insurance can help in prevention and treatment.
But ultimately it comes down to people's choices.
"No matter what else you say, no matter what different studies show, you've got to consume less and burn more," Clinton said. "To do that you've got to change the culture."
02/28/06 15:03 EST
Now Bill just has to change other aspects of culture he influenced that are part of his legacy in addition to his gourmandizing: bribery, extortion, drugs, rape, murder, corruption, lying, oral sex, adultery.....did I miss any?
Bubba Big Mac
Super Sized Bubba
The Clinton's favorite meal was the BBMM, Bubba Big Monica Mac.
Eat as I say. Not as I eat.
I havent been to McDonalds in years , but if Bubba is against get my Big Mac ready Mickey I will have lunch there today.
Make it the Fish sandwich. Its Ash Wednesday.
Clinton is like constipation, No matter how much you push and grunt, you just cant make that first big one pass.Why cant he just go away?
If only Bubba stuck to talking low fat and Jimmuh just built cheap houses.
It's not the freakin' eating habits, it's the lack of exercise, get rid of the video games, and all other electronic gadgets where you are forced to sit on your butt, people need to get moving, play ball, or perhaps engage in a structured daily exercise program, if you're burning calories you don't have to worry about what you're eating, everything in moderation, AND put back phys ed in the schools, too many obese kids and it has nothing to do with soda machines or chips for lunch!
Ping!
But, Bill! I thought eatin' ain't cheatin'!
Hey Bill, start with Monica.
"...AND put back phys ed in the schools"
and recess! I've heard that many public schools have eliminated recess.
When Bill Clinton returns to his former role as "First Gentleman," he can jump right on this need to inform us how to eat.
"Clinton Pushes to Change Nation's Eating Habits"
He already did amongst the youngest of our Nation, with his "eating ain't cheating" school program!
LLS
Give me a break. Slick lies again. When did he stop eating at McDonalds and start working out?
"We have a huge cultural problem and unless we change it our children may grow up to be the first generation with shorter lifespans than we had,"
__________________________________________
Add the countless thousands of abortions each year since roe/wade into the lifespan calc and voila...they already have a shorter expected ilfespan!
Clinton's cigar sweetening and moisturizing habits could stand a little alteration too.
He needs to start by preacing to the choir, his buddy Teddy.
Here comes Big Brother to protect us from ourselves, great.
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