Studies have shown that obesity in adults and children is a major epidemic in America. With direct links to diseases like cardiovascular disease, strokes, enlarged hearts, diabetes, cancer of the breast, liver and uterus, and many other serious health problems, why is no one taking this risk seriously enough to actually start eating healthy, exercising and losing weight?

As parents, do we really want our children to develop Type II diabetes because of their lack of exercise and the foods they eat? What do we tell our children when they grow up and have problems with high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and maybe cancer? We are supposed to be teaching our children to become good citizens, responsible adults and to live the American Dream. To do that, our children must learn how to eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and provides the body with the proper nutrients to make our organs work properly and let us live long and healthy lives. As I see it right now, we all have dropped the ball on our health and we will all be paying outrageous medical bills, insurance premiums and trying to get through life with serious health issues.

The world is definitely fast-paced, but I think it is time all of us put the brakes on and slow down and give our future a very serious look. The truth is directly in front of us: We are fat, out-of-shape, and live on fast food and junk food. It is an awful thing to say but I truly believe that being so 'Politically Correct' is killing us.

Stop and think about it for a moment. Before all the politically correct ways came about, employers could actually suggest an employee drop a few pounds. School bands could choose not to select a girl who was over weight as a majorette, even if she was good at twirling, flag corps members could be told that they needed to drop a pound or two because they didn't look good in their uniform. Now it seems that we reward people for being over weight. Of course we also have groups like the ACLU and others who watch for any sign of a potential lawsuit.

What is wrong with us? Have Americans lost all sense of reason and common sense? When a mother sues a pediatrician for telling her that her baby is obese, that is the icing on the cake. Isn't it the pediatrician's job to make sure a baby grows and thrives and is healthy? If a baby is obese it will not be able to thrive or have a chance to be healthy. That child's future is not bright, but full of misery from health problems that could have been prevented.

I want to know when is America going to wake up and address the problems of obesity and the dire consequences associated with being over weight and inactive. Our country spends billions to help families in other countries to learn how to raise their children through good nutrition, exercise, preventative medicine and education. When are we going to address the serious problems with American children and American families, or are we going to just let this crisis run its course and give us the end result of our folly .