It isn’t a secret that obesity often has deadly consequences. We’re all aware that there is an increased risk of diabetes as well as heart disease. But the bad news doesn’t end there. Obesity now costs 17 percent of the total health bill amounting to at least $2,800 more per year for an obese person.

The actual cost of obesity may be as high as $8,000 for women because they may earn less in the workplace than their “slim sisters.” Seems there is more discrimination against fat women than men.

For employers there are extra costs as well. Obese employees will probably have more sick days, which translates into less productivity. And they may have more disability claims as their legs and backs suffer from the extra weight.

Obese children have at lease two strikes against them. They are more likely to develop diabetes, and they are less likely to be accepted by their peer groups because they don’t participate in sports and other activities.

We all have a responsibility to help children make better food choices by insisting that schools eliminate high sugar snacks and drinks. If adults don’t take the lead to help our children, who will?

While growing up on a farm in southern Indiana, I don’t recall ever hearing the word “retire.” Farmers just kept on until they dropped. Well, that isn’t exactly the truth-there was often a son who took over the actual farming while Dad and Mom continued to live out their days in their old farm home.

Nowadays, retirement is on everyone’s lips if they are heading into their 60s. Recently an article from US News listed the seven secrets of a happy retirement. No surprise that good health is No. 1. Without it, nothing else matters very much. Here is the rest of the list:

• A significant other; married or cohabitating couples are happier than singles in retirement.
• A social network; having friends was reported to be more important than having kids or grandkids.
• Not being addicted to television; happy retirees have a variety of interesting activities to fill their time.
• Maintaining intellectual curiosity with brain stimulators; bridge, reading, etc.
• Not addicted to achievement if your job defined who you are; you will probably have more difficulty in retirement.
• Enough money to support your retirement lifestyle. More than that does not seem to increase happiness.

I will add one more thing to the list. Become a volunteer or work part-time. It will help fulfill many of the requirements on this page.

Have you or a loved one ever had to deal with a medical crisis? Lucky you, if you haven’t. Most of us older citizens have had this experience.

Mine was when my husband awakened me early one morning to tell me that he was suffering severe chest pains. He was already dressed and told me that he was driving himself to the emergency room.

We all know that the ONLY way to handle this situation is to call 911. Never, under any circumstances, should the patient or spouse to do the driving. Unfortunately, my husband had a very strong will and away he went. The good news is that he arrived at the hospital safely, but later admitted that it was all he could do to keep the car on the road.

Where was I? Scrambling to get there as quickly as possible. He survived after having angioplasty but it could have been a very different ending.

My own medical crisis was when I learned that the biopsy report from an earlier surgery indicated that cancer cells were present. The oncologist recommended a second, much more invasive surgery.

That’s when I began my investigation about where to get a second opinion and what were my other options. Again, a happy ending. No more surgery but constant vigilance and check-ups.

So far, so good.

Preparing for potential crisis includes keeping your will and power-of-attorney updated and having a friend or family member who can help in an emergency. Emergencies happen when we least expect them and they require quick thinking and immediate action. Consider taking a CPR or First Aid class at your local EMS department. Remain calm so you can talk to the person in crisis and get information from them. Call 911 if you think you need immediate help.
Also remember to be vigilant about your health. Get routine exams, eat right and exercise.