For the past five years what
news angle have PR pros tapped into
the most? Obesity. Headline after headline about the “fat Americans.” It’s made the papers, radio and TV. It’s gotten such great press it’s even triggered
a whole reality TV craze with shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “Dance Your
Ass Off.”
The message has come across
loud and clear, Americans are fat and unhealthy which can cause Diabetes, heart
problems, etc. So, with all the air time
why don’t these campaigns actually succeed in fixing the problem? Why do most Americans still choose the donut
over raisin bran or Whoppers over grilled chicken?
For me, it’s about one
word: comfort. It’s all about the
comfort of a muffin and piece of crumb cake at a breakfast business meeting – the
comfort of a cocktail and plate of fried calamari on a date – of food for 100
at a Thanksgiving table that seats 12. It tastes good and gives you something to
do…a filler, a prop.
Eating fries and Mac & Cheese
is more filling and less expensive than steak, spinach and a baked potato so in
these lean times the lean have turned soft. And, while schools have tried to make
school lunches healthier by banning soda machines in favor of milk, it’s not working
all that well. And college? Forget
it. The freshman 15 is now the freshman
25.
So what’s the answer? I think, given my PR background, it’s all
about measurable results. First you have to understand you’re
overweight and then you need a goal and some action items.
If you want those extra
calories, balance them with the gym. As
you start to get healthier, feel better and see results, you start eating less
on your plate. It’s win-win. And weigh
yourself daily or weekly so you always know the score.
And the Holidays? Give yourself a pass for a few weeks and then
stick to your New Year’s Resolution. Too
many folks give up by February.
Listen, I’m no
preacher. I’m a NJ native in love with
huge, greasy slices of pizza from some hole in the wall with Tony Soprano
eating in the corner booth. But, along with my pizza comes an IOU for 45
minutes on the treadmill. And I always
try to pay up.
Happy Holidays Everyone!