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Our mental health and physical health are intertwined

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October 4, 2008

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I am extremely alarmed at the rates of obesity in the USA. The very core of our lifestyle needs to be changed to combat this “killer at large.” I have a feeling that we as a nation are running on autopilot, and only do what is convenient. Another problem contributing to obesity would be the way so many people have to work several jobs to survive, leaving them with no time to cook or exercise. But it’s time to wake up from autopilot and bring some attention to our health, through our diet.

Did you know that our mental state – that is, whether we are stressed, depressed, or anxious, – is a reflection of the foods we are or are not eating? To get to the core of our purpose, we must put attention on the physical pillar of life. Our mental health and physical health are intertwined!

Here is the press room for a documentary about the nation’s obesity problem. It’s called “Killer at Large” and I learned of it from the second link, a blog about the possibility of rating junk food advertising to kids.

Killer at Large Press Room

Rating Junk food advertising to kids

CDC obesity. Men approx 31%, Women approx 33%, children 2-19 approx 16%.

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8 comments

  1. CureDepression says:

    October 4, 2008 at 6:15 pm (UTC -7 )

    I definately agree with your post. The saying “You are what you eat” definately is true. A great documentary I would recommend is “Supersize Me”. It talks about the huge obesity issues that plague the United States, and how fast food companies contribute a lot to this problem. By no means am I blaming McDonalds and Burger King for people’s weight issues, but I do believe that fast food companies “trick” people into believing that their food is “healthy” when it really is just a load of garbage. We need to start assuming responsibility for our actions, and start eating healthier. If not, more people are going to be heading to an early grave.

  2. Jessica says:

    October 4, 2008 at 8:16 pm (UTC -7 )

    Nice reminder about Supersize Me. I saw that several years ago. I found a great synopsis of it on Wikipedia.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Size_Me

    Thanks for stopping by, CureDepression!

  3. Carol King says:

    October 5, 2008 at 7:23 am (UTC -7 )

    Hey Jessica, I am a true believer in what we think about ourselves and our lives influences how we treat our bodies, but I do not think enough emphasis is put on this. When we change our thinking i.e. our view of ourselves, wanting to be healther and making healthier choices comes naturally.
    Great post.

  4. Jessica says:

    October 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm (UTC -7 )

    Thanks, Carol! Everyone has a different take on life, that’s for sure, and wanting to be healthy is not on the top of everybody’s list. It may not come naturally to want to treat our body as a temple, and so waiting for the desire doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why I think you’re right in that we need to change our thinking style first. That’s why there is a myriad of counseling styles and therapies; because everyone’s viewpoint is unique and there’s no panacea!

  5. Mckay K says:

    October 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm (UTC -7 )

    Hi Jessica. It was a shock the first time I heard the Surgeon General say that obesity was the number one killer in America. It was no less shocking today.

    I think we tend to ignore the way we and others look. When I leave home, I sometimes wonder why people wear what they do. Most are wearing what they can get into.

    There is no wonder so many people suffer from low self confidence and depression.

    The thought of us out living our children and even our grandchildren is horrifying!

    Thanks for the wake up call!!!

  6. Jessica says:

    October 8, 2008 at 9:20 pm (UTC -7 )

    Thanks for your thoughts, Mckay. That Surgeon General clip was on the Killer at Large link, right? I think when I saw that clip it was the first time I heard that speech, and it was very moving; a “right on” moment for me.

  7. Angellaa says:

    February 24, 2009 at 3:19 am (UTC -7 )

    Hmm, very cognitive post.
    Is this theme good unough for the Digg?

    1. Jessica says:

      February 24, 2009 at 10:35 am (UTC -7 )

      Thanks Angellaa. It’s up to you whether you’d like to Digg this post! I personally don’t have a Digg account, but I may start.

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