Commentary Draft

I am beginning my second year here at UCF, so it is my second year of living on my own and doing things like regularly shopping at Publix for myself. One thing I have often observed there is that there is a large percentage of people who are overweight or out of shape physically. I have read in the papers about the trend in this country of more people being overweight, and when I shop for food each week, I see many of these people. Sometimes I can even hear their uneven and laborious breathing. The foods I see in their carts make me feel that they are not concerned as much as they should be with their health and fitness. There is so much attention given these days to health care and health insurance, but there should be more emphasis on people taking care of themselves to stay fitter and healthier. That would be the best way to keep the costs of health care down. It looks to me that many people just don’t care enough. It reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. I feel that they should at least be aware of their situation, and try to become healthier by eating better and exercising.

Even on the UCF campus, where students are younger and have had less time for unhealthy habits to affect them, I see this unhealthy trend of poor eating and lack of exercise beginning for some. On the other hand, on campus and off campus, there are at least a number of people who have recognized this negative trend, and are consciously trying to take the healthier approach. I have always been involved in athletics, and for the last few years, I spend much time in the gym (here at the Wellness Center). It is important to me to exercise regularly and to maintain a healthy diet. While too many people do not take enough responsibility for their health, luckily there are many others who feel the way that I do, see the trend towards an unhealthy lifestyle, and are taking the correct steps to reverse it.