Jim, a man of average height but weighing 300 pounds, suffers a heart attack and lands in the emergency room.
His life hangs in the balance. He’s only 32.
“How the hell does that happen?, ” asks the doctor in a new, attention-grabbing video.
The scene takes place in 2030. Everyone is an actor.
While the video released by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life program is fictional, this is what life could really look like if we don’t get a handle on the health plague that has one in three children ages 10 to 17 overweight or obese.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Rewind the Future video was released last September but is getting a lot of buzz now, getting picked up by several sites including BuzzFeed Huffington Post.
provided by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Complete with the sound of heavy breathing as the overweight boy, then-teenager, then-man watches his life flash before his eyes from a hospital gurney, the video’s scenes show fast-food stops, celebrations with food and video game playing. It ends with his mother soothing a tantrum of the then-boy with french fries.
When Strong4Life released the video, they also released a series of small, simple steps that can add up to major changes in a family’s overall health.
They included Making water fun
Soda, sports drinks, sweetened tea, fruit juices — sure, they’re wet and they taste good, but they pump sugar, empty calories and artificial sweeteners into our systems. Give your body what it really craves: plain old H2O.
To jazz up water:
> Add slices of citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons or limes.
> Add fresh or frozen berries, like blueberries or strawberries.
> Make tea with herbal tea bags, like peach, raspberry or peppermint, then chill it in the refrigerator or add ice.
> Or go with a fresh fruit and herb combo (Add fresh mint with chunks of fruit, like pineapple or watermelon. Or try a few small pieces of fresh ginger with blackberries or limes.)
Be a healthy team mom (or dad)
We’ve all seen kids pouring sugar straight into their bodies such as candy and donuts after a game. Properly fuel your little athletes by giving them water — the best source of hydration. And get your team on the habit of healthy snacking. Aim for snacks that include two different food groups, like fresh apple slices with peanut butter, or whole wheat crackers with cheese. (check about food allergies).
What new steps do you plan to take this new school year to help encourage healthy habits?
About the Author
