Are We in an “Obesogenic Environment?”

Nadine Sigle, Family Consumer Science Agent

Do you spend most of your day sitting at a desk? Do you spend two or more hours every evening in front of a TV or computer screen? Does the candy jar get replenished when it just half empty? Are the sidewalks in your neighborhood full of cracks and difficult to walk on? Is your street lighting dim and you are afraid to take a walk at night? Do you have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables?

If you answered yes to the majority of these, you are living in an “obesogenic environment” or one that is full of factors which lead to obesity. It’s easy to say if we would just eat better and move more we wouldn’t have the problem. Today research is showing the issues are much deeper than healthy eating and becoming more physically active. If our environment doesn’t help support healthy lifestyles, our health will be next to impossible to sustain.

Working with our communities, we need to take a hard look at what facilities are available to increase our physical activity. Safe and well light streets and sidewalks are a good start which will allow adults and youth to walk to school, work or for leisure. Community gyms or wellness centers provide the opportunity to exercise when it’s too warm or cold outside.

The addition of community gardens provides access to fresh vegetables as well as physical activity. The garden can expand the variety of vegetables we consume and they can be eaten at their peak. It’s a project where generations can work together and stories can be shared and memories created.

At home several small changes can have a large impact. Instead of having a candy dish, keep fresh fruits in a bowl on the table or counter. In the refrigerator, keep a container of cut veggies handy along with a pitcher of cold water. Instead of bringing take out foods home, cook at home. The extra time spent standing and preparing meals burns calories not to mention the fact you will probably prepare something with less fat and calories.

Food stands at sporting events are another venue where the addition of healthy options could have a large impact on our environment. Sure, it’s convenient to grab a hot dog and nachos at a football or basketball game along with a soda, but a steady diet will lead to unwanted pounds, not to mention the lack of nutrients our bodies need to maintain health.

As a child I was taught to leave things as good as, if not better, than the condition in which I found it. If we do not take steps to reverse the obesogenic environment, this will be the first generation where the children and grandchildren will live in poorer health resulting in a short lifespan. Is this the legacy we want to leave?