Marc Wellness International Blog

The Australian today has written an article “Obesity costs nation $58bn” with information from a new report, released at a government forum in Tasmania, which shows the full cost of obesity to be $58 billion, far exceeding the $21 billion bill estimated in 2006.  
Whilst we as a nation have of late been told we are now the “fattest nation” in the world, now we are being told how much it is costing us! My question is when will we be told initiatives on how to prevent obesity from occurring?  

It is Richard and my passion of helping as many individuals as possible to live a healthier life and we know the implications obesity has on individuals and with this in mind we knew we had to do something about it. And believe the best way to help with this epidemic is to start educating families about the correct eating habits and lifestyle habits in the environment they live and lead starting in the home. With the true emphasis on leading a healthy lifestyle starting with the lifestyle habits we develop from dad and mum.  

We know parents are in an uphill battle with environmental and social factors in our society today influencing the kids to become more inactive such as playstations, internet, fast paced society and stranger danger. All of these contributing factors are affecting our kids today to become more sedentary and inactive but we can not just say these factors are to blame… If the government and society really wants to make a difference to the fast growing rate of obesity, it is time to step up and take action.
 Let’s make a difference in our lifestyle today. But without change there is no change. 

And individuals need to make the decision to live a healthier lifestyle. However for some the decision may be a difficult one as they are not too sure of where to start making the changes in their lifestyle. Some may be afraid to go on a diet as they know that it is only a short stint and after the diet they are back to their old habits.  You see… to live a healthy life it is all about making lifestyle choices in your everyday life. It is not about a short diet then jumping back into the old eating habits, it is about making changes and changing unhealthy lifestyle habits in the everyday life for a healthier future. And this is the reason why we wanted to take action and help families, parents and kids to lead a healthier longer life! We wanted to provide families with a simplified guide to a healthy family that they could implement and use. We spent years researching and developing our book called “Please Mum, Don’t Supersize Me!” which was released in all good book stores throughout Australia earlier this year. It is an awareness atlas and an essential guide for a healthy child. Don’t believe me, see what others have said about it!
 “It’s the most successful diet of all… no pills or potions”A Current Affair – March 2008  

 “It’s a timely and worthwhile publication” Alan Jones, 2GB Radio

“A valuable resource and essential reading for families”  Alan Thompson, head coach, Australian Swim Team 

 “It is a perfect fit for families who want to lead more healthy lifestyles” Christopher Guerriero founder & CEO of the National Metabolic & Longevity Research Center  

We have all heard many statistic after statistic that is released but it is time for action. And we are here to take action and make a difference to assist with this growing epidemic. And as a follow up to our book “Please Mum, Don’t Supersize Me!”, we are currently in the final stages of finishing the development of a new program called “The Secrets of a Healthy Family” where we share with you what we believe are the 7 Secrets of a Healthy Family whilst also interviewing 7 health and wellness experts from around the world with their views. Because we are about helping individuals to live a long, healthy, happy life! 

I just opened my ninemsn homepage and saw the heading “Australia worlds fattest nation”. I thought oh no, it has happened we are now official the world’s fattest nation. It is so disheartening to see this but what we need to do now is take action!

The study has shown that 26 per cent of adult Australians - almost four million - are now obese, one million more than the last calculation in 1999. And Australia now holds the top spot as the world’s most overweight nation, ahead of the notoriously super-sized Americans, who have a 25 per cent obesity rate.

It is so scary all these studies and statistics that are released, it is almost like warning signs for the nation to shape up and get healthy!

Professor Simon Stewart, head of preventative cardiology at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said “That, unfortunately, makes us the heavyweight champions, a title we don’t really want,” and I agree we don’t want to be titled the heavyweight champions of the world at obesity!

It is vital our community identifies the health problems that are associated with obesity such as heart related problems, diabetes type II, cardiovascular disease, joint problems and the list goes on. These health issues need to be acknowledged and the important factor to take into consideration is “Obesity can be prevented!”.

Now is a time our community needs to stick together and help each other to lead a more healthier lifestyle. Start using the facilities in your community such as local gyms, indoor pools, parks or your backyard to get active and get healthy. But it all needs to start at home. Get healthy in your home with your partner or with your entire family.

We would like to hear from you, what are your thoughts on this topic?

Do you believe we are the world’s fattest nation? 

Listen to what Joey Marc really thinks about this  

 Australia 'world champions' at obesity! [5:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9)

This week alarming research was revealed that the obesity crisis will cut years off lives of Australians! The University of Western Australia research has found obese Australians — those with a body mass index over 30 — will live for between 3.5 and 4.5 years less.

The overweight, who have a BMI between 25 and 30, have a six-month shorter than average life expectancy.

And what about our kids?

The research predicted if present obesity trends in children continue; their life expectancy will fall by two years.

In the fast paced society we live today, it is vital for us all to take time out to ensure we are living a healthy lifestyle everyday. Here are a couple of tips to help you get started towards a healthier life:

- Take action right now - write in your diary or on a piece of paper and place it on your fridge door (notice board), a healthy lifestyle goal you can implement right now. Such as I will go power walking after dinner starting today, or I will eat at least 3 pieces of fruit a day, starting today. Notice how we say “Starting TODAY!” no need to wait for Monday - Take action right now

- Provide a healthy home environment - display fruit on the kitchen bench so it is easy to grab and eat at any time. Or cut up some fruit and make a bowl of healthy fruit salad, then leave it in the fridge. This makes a great snack or breakfast topping with cereal. Encourage the entire family to get outside and get active together - this needs to start with dad and mum. Whether you are being active as a family at home in the backyard, at a park, beach wherever it may be, have fun playing active games such as frisbee, ball games, handball, soccer, cricket.

And most importantly, don’t let time get in the way of you living a healthy life with your family. Make time in your day, everyday to look after your health, to eat well and be active. Because what is more important then your health and your families health?

To read more about the article relating to obesity cutting years off lives - click here

Yours in health and wellness,

Richard & Joey Marc

PS. For a tip every week from us, go to www.PleaseMumDontSupersizeMe.com and click on free thought of the week, to help keep motivated towards a healthy lifestyle.