Joanna Perry, Staff Writer

“For the first time ever, overweight people outnumber average people in America. Doesn’t that make overweight the average then? Last month you were fat, now you’re average – hey, let’s get a pizza!” laughs host Jay Leno on his late night television show. While he may be joking, he points out an ever-growing problem in American society: overweight people. From mildly overweight to morbidly obese, overweight people not only pose health risks to themselves by remaining overweight, but some also prove to be an unsightly symbol of America due to their poor clothing choices.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the percent of overweight adults, age twenty and over, was reported at 67% in 2006—that means over half of the adults in the United States live each day at an unhealthy weight. As Leno states, overweight people in the United States now outnumber those at a healthy weight. Statistics, however, seem to only point out the obvious. A simple look around the classroom or the grocery store shows the real truth about obesity; it is everywhere. Overweight children are as prevalent as ever in the United States, a fact that seems to doom the generations of the future into horrifying, inescapable obesity.
America’s journey into obesity could not fit the description of “slow” or “gradual”—in fact, the 13% obesity population reported in 1962 more than doubled by the year 2000, to 31%. While the prevalence of obesity may come as a shock to some, once again, a simple look around any American town reveals most of the answers behind the cause of obesity. Fast food restaurants litter streets and shopping centers; easy to eat food made even easier by low prices and quick pickup times. With good tasting food only several dollars away, what incentive do Americans have to spend more money and eat healthier? Nutritional facts on these foods are sometimes available on the Internet, or in brochures available at the restaurants, however rarely does an American that would read nutritional information on fast food also possess the stomach to eat it afterwards. Fast foods are plagued with excessive, unhealthy amounts of fats, cholesterol, sugars, and carbohydrates—not to mention the ridiculous amount of hormones given to meat-producing animals before slaughter. America’s ever-growing preference for fast food is just one of the factors leading to the growing obesity population.
The number of risks behind obesity almost rivals the amount of overweight people. To name a few, overweight people face heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood fats, metabolic syndrome, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, reproductive problems, and gallstones. According to CNN, the lifespan of an obese person averages 10 years less than a healthy person. As if the health risks posed by being overweight weren’t enough, most obese people tend to have difficulty moving and therefore face difficulty exercising. Bone and joint problems make physical activity extremely difficult, and few retain their motivation to lose weight through exercise for very long. “While the physical health risks obese people deal with are important, few realize the depression and self confidence issues that also come with being overweight, that effect both their motivation to get healthy and their everyday lives.” Remarks school nurse Leann Miller. Simply put, the vicious cycle of obesity is rarely escaped.
The obesity problem casts an unsightly light upon Americans. Overweight people are hardly catered to in the fashion industry, making flattering clothing choices difficult to find. Some resort to oversized sweatpants or t-shirts, in an attempt to camouflage undesirable physical attributes, while others wear the biggest size they can find in regular stores, even though the clothing choices are too revealing or tight-fitting. The confidence problems overweight people face seems only worsened by the lack of options regarding clothes. In other countries, the stereotype of the fat, poorly dressed American is tirelessly perpetuated to the point of embarrassment. While the assumptions made by other countries, such as “Every American is fat,” are false, many wonder how much longer until that statement attains validity.
Growing American waistlines prove to be a growing American problem that must be faced and dealt with, for the good of all people. The risks faced by overweight people are often entirely ignored, and little incentive exists to pull themselves out of their morbidly obese misery. As time progresses, overweight people will become the standard, and America will then face the rapidly deteriorating health of millions upon millions of people.

Callie Wilson, Staff Writer

Campbell County High School offers several extra curricular activities for students to get involved in, such as: Speech and Debate, DECA, Interact and Student Council. One extra curricular activity that is offered which many students are not familiar with is Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). This club is a nationwide student organization that improves personal growth, develops leadership skills and provides preparation for the future all through Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) education.
FCCLA offers numerous amounts of competitions to compete in under STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) events. Culinary Arts is a very popular STAR event where a team competes against other teams to produce a quality meal that uses culinary arts techniques.
Junior Ali Chalberg said, “I am looking forward to going on trips and learning how to cook better.” This is Chalberg’s first time as a member of FCCLA. “This year I am competing in Party Planning, and Healthy Foods.”
Another competition that interests lots of students is Fashion Design. In this contest, a participant must apply fashion construction skills that they have learned in FACS to design and market their clothing.
Are you interested in managing the costs of an event, such as prom? Paying for your first year of college? Then Life Planning is the field for you. Life Planning is either an individual or team competition that applies the skills learned in FACS to manage financial expenses.
“This is my third year and I absolutely love it,” senior Sara Miller said. “I love being able to meet people from all over the state that have the same interest as I do.”
Not only does the CCHS FCCLA chapter compete, they also are working on several projects throughout this year. They provide comfort and care for local cancer patients and are also working with the veterans at the Veteran’s Home in Buffalo, Wyoming. Together as a state, the Wyoming FCCLA chapter is working together to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“I was a member for three years at my old school in Glenrock, WY. This is my first year as a member of the CCHS FCCLA chapter,” sophomore Richard Bierman said. Bierman is not sure what he is competing in this year, but is looking forward to all the trips and parties.
FCCLA advisor Susan Staldine has been advising for five years. “My favorite part is watching the kids work throughout the year, and taking the field trips,” said Staldine. Many benefits come from being in FCCLA. “While getting to know people you would not normally get to work with at school and state conventions, students learn leadership skills.”
Any sophomore, junior, or senior who is currently in, or has previously taken, a FACS class is eligible to join FCCLA. Meetings are held every other Thursday after school at 3:15 in Staldine’s room 132 at North Campus. For more information about FCCLA, check out the website at www.fcclainc.org