An ancient Chinese proverb reads, "Dig the well before you are thirsty." Applying that wisdom to the current American obesity problem, the saying might read: "Change your lifestyle before you are dead."
Obesity - often defined as being more than 30 percent over one's ideal body weight - matters because obese people are at a heightened risk of developing many serious medical problems including heart disease, stroke, type two or non-insulin dependent diabetes, sleep apnea and various types of cancer.
Today, one in five Americans is considered to be obese. Not good. Worse, since 1980, the number of obese adolescents has tripled, rising from 5 percent to 15.5 percent. Adolescence includes the late teens - an age group that encompasses many UA freshmen and sophomores.
In 2001, the American Medical Association reported that an estimated 300,000 Americans die from obesity-related causes each year. Very bad. In the year 2000, the total annual cost of obesity in the United States was an estimated $117 billion.
Obesity has indeed become an epidemic, and one that we must address now.
On the bright side, we know and understand the primary causes of obesity. Moreover, much of the problem is within our direct control. Consider an apt analogy.
Once, a friend surprised me when he sat down to lunch and ravenously wolfed down three giant slabs of pepperoni pizza. Because he was a competitive bodybuilder, I had assumed that he ate healthier - and I told him so.
His response: "Dude, I'm going to burn this up tonight in the gym. Just watch." He pointed a muscular finger at the remaining pizza and continued, still chewing, "But most people sit around eating this rocket fuel all day when they only have the energy requirements of a Pinto."
In fact, he was correct. If we make constant caloric deposits into our body - by eating food - but don't make corresponding withdrawals - by exercising - then we develop excess body fat. Eventually, this process leads to obesity.
Some readers right now are growing red with indignation, assuming a hostile posture above their keyboards and preparing to fire off an angry response to this column. "But what about genetics?" they will exclaim in retaliation. "Some people just can't help it!"
True, genes are important in determining a person's susceptibility to weight gain. But - and this is a big "but" with only one "T" - the key causes of obesity are still increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats and sugars and reduced physical activity.
In other words, the unpalatable reality is that our poor diets and sedentary lifestyles are the principle causes of obesity. And we can change them.
Fortunately, some change is already underway.
Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona dubbed 2005 "The Year of the Healthy Child," laying out steps to thwart obesity. Not surprisingly, these include maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, eliminating tobacco use and controlling alcohol consumption.
However, the big question remains: How do Americans shed the excess pounds?
First, diet. Despite their prevalence, fad diets, diet pills and all other recipes for "instant" weight loss just don't work. There is no magical, overnight method to permanent weight loss. Just not gonna happen.
The mental ingredients in a good diet regime are sacrifice, selection and planning. No magic there.
Then, we must eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods, including more fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and whole grains. Simultaneously, we have to curb fatty and sugary food intake. Substitute bagels for muffins and carrots for cookies, and opt for diet soda.
Trust me, I know all of that isn't easy. I love sweets. I can eat a gallon of ice cream in one sitting. We can cheat with some junk food, but we should do so judiciously - and no, eating a bucket of ice cream isn't judicious.
Next, even when we regulate our diet, the necessary second step is consistent exercise.
For most people, a realistic goal is to begin with two to three workouts per week. Cardiovascular exercises are especially critical. As UA students, we have access to the Student Recreation Center. Use it.
To get more personalized information, contact the personal trainers there: 621-8717 or 621-9577.
One good information resource is this Web site: http://weightloss.about.com/.
With the astronomical national costs associated with obesity, proper diet and exercise aren't just matters of individual preference anymore. Let's do our part to combat the obesity epidemic today.
Dillon Fishman is a third-year law student. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.