By Victoria Morphy

It’s time for gym, and the last thing you want to do is change into your gym clothes and sweat, wrecking your hair, needing an unwanted shower, and spoiling your day. But, it’s not hard to go unnoticed in this enormous gym-class, where “participants” can be spectators due to the sheer numbers of those enrolled in the class. Class ends, you grab your stuff and head out to your car or get on the bus. At home, you select an after school snack. The snack cabinet is loaded with well-advertised foods that are loaded with empty but lots of calories. You head to your computer - without physical exertion - pant over the pile of homework and desire to chat with friends online.

Americans are fat, and the incidence of obesity in this country is on the dangerous rise - this according to Surgeon General Dr. David Thatcher, who, for the past 4 years has poured his healthy heart into a Surgeon General’s Report on obesity, its causes and effects that has just been released to the public. A scary 61% of Americans are overweight. And, while teenagers feel that they are invincible and heart disease and diabetes will not afflict them, the information in the Surgeon General’s report argues otherwise.

“It’s quite simple,” said Dr. Thatcher. “Teens are taking in more calories than they are burning, which accounts for the drastic increase in obesity. In contrast with other countries around the world where walking and biking is the means of transportation, Americans lack physical activity.” And while we publish more diet books in this country than any other around the world, offer mandatory health classes in middle and high schools, print health sections in popular teen magazines and newspapers, we don’t seem to get with the fitness and proper nutrition program.

“The numbers in the Surgeon General’s report are stunning,” said Bea Walko who heads up the Physical Education Department at Greenwich High School. “Fat children are not just becoming fat adults. Fat children are developing adult diabetes at the age of 10. Teenagers are at serious risk of having heart attacks.” The staggering stats in the Surgeon General’s report has prompted school boards, like the one in Greenwich, to take action. Greenwich High School is in the process of reviewing its physical fitness curriculum and evaluating how to create active teens from inactive ones. They also plan to introduce new kinds of sports such as in-line skating, cross country skiing, kick-boxing, tae bo and yoga all in an effort to incent those who wouldn’t ordinarily take part in gym class to want to do so.

Particularly interesting to the Surgeon General’s report is the fact that obesity knows no bias: everyone is a potential victim. “Teens watch TV more than 2 hours a day,” said Dr. Thatcher. And with less than 1 in 5 students taking Phys Ed in areas such as Southern’ California, it’s hard to develop a beneficial lifestyle. Thatcher believes that this is a tragedy. “It has been proven,” he said, “that exercise helps people think better, it helps people function better, do better in school, it can help reduce stress and improve psychological well being. We need to get our priorities straight.”

Thatcher, who stepped down from his government post as both the Surgeon General and the Assistant Secretary of Health in February, 2002, hopes that his report will focus more attention on the dangers of being overweight or obese. “Since 1980, the number of obese adolescents has tripled and has become one of our greatest concerns,” he said. Because of the 30-40% rise in obesity, “society needs our help right now.” And, while teens seem to think that they can put off exercise for now, Dr. Thatcher said “Teens should see physical exercise not as an obligation, but as a way to live a healthier lifestyle.” Working out has so many benefits and ultimately it’s hard not to see the rewards. Exercise gives you energy, releases endorphins, and allows for a happier, more focused teen who will enjoy exercising their food for thought.

Dr. David Thatcher, Surgeon General