A plan to end childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity is one of the more unique pandemics in our world today - from a historical viewpoint it is a relatively new problem, and one that seemingly shouldn't be as big a conflict as it's become (no pun intended). But the pop culture of today has become a fertile breeding ground for obesity: television, video games, and cheap fast food are some of the obvious culprits. Throw in parents who allow their children to feast on anything and everything they want, while simultaneously not encouraging exercise, has allowed our children to reach absurd weight levels. Parents HAVE to do a better job of disciplining and setting a good example for their children. And even then, it's not enough.

What if we allowed overweight children and teens under the age of 18 to go to the gyms and paid them to work out? Say, every hour they exercise they get $5 or $10? And if they work out every day for a week they get a bonus?

Sure, this plan has it's obvious flaws: the kids could take the money and pig out on cheeseburgers, or save up for a week and go buy a new game and never see the light of day for a month.

Food can be just as strong an addiction for these children as alcohol/cigarettes are for adults; thus I feel paying children to work out will become an addiction in itself, taking the place of food. We all know the powerful temptation money can provide, and it is my hope that the hunger for money would replace the hunger for food.

Is this a good thing though? Replacing one addiction for another? Greed can be a devastating affliction, capable of ruining the lives of many people (just look at all the recent Ponzi schemes). Perhaps though, the money these kids would receive is just the motivation they need to stick with their exercise. You know the rush of pleasure you get when you look down at the ground and see that beautiful green-tinted paper just laying there for the taking? It's like it unleashes an animalistic instinct within us.

...Maybe it would be a good idea to include a free money-management class for these kids too.

Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.


[post composed listening to Coldplay]