With all the attention these days given to the H1N1 flu you would think that this is the only danger lurking out there. Yes, this flu can be horrible to go through and several million people are estimated to be infected by it.
In the United States experts estimate that 4,000 people have died from this virus and its complications. The number of deaths worldwide is 8000. Proper precautions should be made.
But let’s look at some other numbers. In the past month the American Institute for Cancer Research reported that 105,000 new cases of cancer are caused by obesity every year.
Side note: You are considered overweight if you are 15lbs over your recommended weight. And you are considered obese when you are 30+ lbs over.
Among the types of cancer linked to excess body fat:
- Breast – 33,000 cases a year
- Endometrial – 20,700 cases a year
- Kidney – 13,900 cases
- Colorectal – 13,200 cases
- Pancreas – 11,900 cases
- Esophagus – 5,800 cases
- Gallbladder – 2,000
I need not tell you that these numbers reflect a much higher mortality rate than H1N1.
So yes, get your flu shot, wash your hands, teach your children to do the same so that they’re not assisting in the spread of this flu.
But let’s also start teaching them proper nutrition. And that running around outside instead of staring at their computers will also help begin a lifestyle which will prevent even more devastating outcomes.
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Marcia Reynolds, past chair of the CLC
Interesting comparison. It seems that again, the media directs people’s fears and behaviors. If they focused on the Obesity Epidemic, you might get more action. But then again, the fast food companies are their sponsors so that will probably not happen.