An animated movie a few years ago depicted a future where humans had become so dependent on machines that they could hardly walk a step or two, let alone do anything that a person without a disability would take for granted.
Wall-e was funny and popular, and despite it being a work of fancy, it isn't much of a stretch to believe obesity is becoming a problem that is growing no pun intended so fast that the average human in the developed world is on a path to medical scooter driving decades before it would otherwise be necessary.
The latest news on the battle of the bulge is that health regulators in the United States might grant permission for Lap Band surgery on teens. It's currently experimental for teens and can be used at a doctor's discretion. The procedure involves putting a device around the stomach in such a way that it reduces the size of the stomach, cutting down on the amount of food a person can eat.
Critics say teens are poor candidates for the surgery because its patients need to rigorously follow post-operative procedures and change eating habits, something teens aren't good at. Proponents say getting obese teens on track means a better life because they won't be subject to teasing, and therefore psychological issues, and they won't have early onset diabetes and other health issues related to being overweight. It's a problem we are all too well aware of in Prince Albert.
We have been considered the worst among health regions in the country for having an overweight population. We have high rates of diabetes and all the other diseases that come from carrying around too much weight. And it's showing up in younger people.
Government-based solutions, such as taxes on high-sodium or high-sugar foods, can only go so far and often create a self-perpetuating industry. The solution for most people is simple on paper. Exercise more, eat less junk. But that's too difficult for the average person.
For some, it's more complicated than proper exercise and diet. They need help that requires surgery or other medical treatments, and they should be able to access the help they need. But for most of us, it comes down to willpower.
How many people can say they exercise more than they watch TV or surf the web? How many could even take the batteries out of their TV's remote control, just so they had to get that little bit extra activity by getting up to change the channel?
It sounds like an absurd thing to do, but so does invasive surgery on a significant percentage of teenagers to solve chronic obesity.
