Obesity

In an article from the Star Tribune titled, "Obese kids face twice the risk of an early death, study finds," Rabin points out a study gathered from Pima and Tohono O'odham Indians whose rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity were an issue before Americans faced this crisis. This study followed children into their adult life and found that many are suffering premature death. The health problems are those that have become common in the United States - high cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels and body-mass index. These health issues are bringing on pre-diabetes.

I found this article to be extremely relevent to issues we have discussed in class. Because of the articles about apotemnophilia and limb-lengthening, we have emphasized that society sets a standard that we feel the need to meet. The standard that has typically been discussed is that seen in the magazine of tall, slender women. Although apotemnophilia does no directly relate to the desire to meet this standard, it does relate to a body image issue to some degree. When paging through the Star Tribune, I'd anticipate finding an article about adult obesity rates or teens facing eating disorders which is why I feel that this problem is important enough to address.

Dear Editor,

I am writing concerning the article, "Obese kids face twice the risk of an early death, study finds." When reading this article, I find you suggesting that child obesity is more common and life threatening than other eating disorders that many children and teenagers battle. You state that the heaviest children are more likely to die prematurely than the thinnest. I understand that this is an increasing problem in the United States but does it deserve more attention than the other, also life threatening disorders? Children are plagued by the standard that is set by the media and often do whatever they can to meet that.