Health care: focus on yourself

From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

There's something you and I have done again and again, and that is slamming too many calories in our mouths. As Americans, we spend a bigger percentage of our nation's wealth on health care than any other country.

We've had health care debates going on most of the year and we're asking, "What's Washington going to do?" Nobody's talking about what you and I need to do for ourselves, which is to manage our own health and wellness.

I remember five years ago where everybody was beating up McDonald's about what their food was doing to people, and McDonald's realized they were never going to win that battle so they changed their Happy Meals (offered for children).

Now if you go into McDonald's, you have a variety of healthy snacks to choose from for your kids. You can still get the toy but you also have healthier options.

Well, I have seen only a few parents select a healthy snack for his or her child. The point I'm trying to make is that we have choices.

Today, nearly 20 percent of kids in elementary school are overweight. And if you look at the teenage crowd, it's virtually the same number.

A report from the San Francisco Chronicle says obesity cost us $147 billion last year and killed more than 100,000 Americans. Because of obesity, the U.S. life expectancy is shortening for the first time since the bloodletting of the Civil War in 1861-1865.

We can debate all day long about health care, but with your own life, set a direction for your health. When was the last time you worked out? When did you get your kids out walking?

It's the combination of how we eat, how much we eat and how much or little we exercise that has such an impact on our health.

I don't care where you fit politically. I don't care what your position is on health care. But what I want you to think about is what you're going to do about your health and your family's health.

Tune in to Clark Howard Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. ET on HLN