I Have had Enough With Society Blaming my Obesity on Lack of Control

Obesity! When you were little, did you say, "when I grow up, I want to be obese?" I know thats a silly question, but so many people have preconceived notions that people with weight problems made themselves that way because they couldn't push themselves away from the table. I for one, am fed up with people blaming obesity on lack of control! How do we get the point across to society that obesity is a disease?

This is where I begin to tell my story. I grew up in the 60's where you ate the food on your plate. You didn't leave the table until it was gone. The food was always well balanced with very little sugar. We were lucky to get something sweat once every three months. Between the time I was five and six I changed from an middle-sized 5 years to a chunky-size 6 year old. It makes you wonder, what changed? Well, we moved into a new house with a swimming pool where I was actively involved in swimming, then went to a new school . By the time I was in 7th grade, I slimmed out and stayed that way until I was in 11th grade where I then picked up about 20 pounds. What happened? I still ate a well balance meal at home; however, at school I ate the lunches. Could that be part of the problem? By this time, it was in the late 70's where more and more fast food restaurants were opening and defiantly drawing attention to the young generation. So I have to admit, I liked McDonald's and Taco Bell. It was new and something different!

Could obesity have grown due to all the new fast food restaurants over the last forty years? It could be a big factor especially since the number of obese people are growing by leaps and bounds.

I married at 23 and was 20 pounds heavier! So what happened? I worked full time, went to college and had very little time to cook so I would pick up something quick and easy! I became pregnant 5 years later and was 40 lbs heavier! During the pregnancy I gained only 23 lbs. and after I had my son I was down 35 lbs. Once I stopped nursing after 10 months, I gained 35 + 20 lbs heavier! There is differently a pattern!!! By the time I had my third son, I was 60 lbs heavier!