Issues Paper

Ok just a heads up: I can't for the life of me ever post anything on this blog that is formatted correctly. For some reason it always changes and my blog post looks awful. So when you're reading this one, take note that Roman numeral III (my rebuttal) is actually the letter E and roman numeral 6 is just I again. And yet another I where it is supposed to be II..... so my apologies and good luck reading this! :)

Thesis: Although there are many resources for getting in better shape offered by new media, our world (particularly America) is still facing an obesity epidemic. However, new media is sucking some of the fat out of the world-wide weight issue. Here’s how.

1. Obesity Statistics
1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

Include tables and charts

1. What New Media can do to help those numbers

1. Article “Branding Campaign Exceeds Initial Goals For New Hampshire Fitness Site”. Gym got 1,600 people to sign up even before it opened just by using TV and radio ads.
2. Website changingshape.com-- A website that creates a personal trainer for its users. Research has showed that online trainers can be just as effective as actual trainers.
3. Website newmediafitness.com-- Another website that creates workout plans for its users. This also implements goals and healthy eating habits.
4. Website http://www.flat-stomach-exercises.com/love-handles.html. This website, like the name suggests, offers work outs for flatter stomachs. This is not the only one of its kind.
5. Rebuttal
6. Website http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/tv&health.html. This website offers great statistics concerning TV (how much time Americans spend watching it, etc.). I will use it to actually say that new media is a bad influence as far as physical fitness, but then back it up with the following evidence.

IV. What new media has done to help people get in better shape

1. Article “Using Media Messaging to Promote Healthful Eating and Physical Activity among Urban Youth.” Explains the project conducted in three major US cities called “8 Habits of Healthy Kids” in which a certain number of children ages 9-12 were surveyed as to what kinds of things were available to them to keep them healthy. They were also taught how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
2. Article “Evaluation Of The National 'Push Play' Campaign In New Zealand--Creating Population Awareness Of Physical Activity.” A campaign was done in New Zealand to get people moving. There are charts and tables in this article that will be helpful in illustrating how new media helped New Zealanders adopt healthier lifestyles.
3. Article “Nationwide Fitness Developed Together With Olympic Games--Inspirations From The Experiences Of "Go Olympic Games!" On Hunan Satellite TV” During the Olympic games in China there was a push to get the citizens involved in the games. This article not only got the Chinese involved in their games, but it helped fitness nationwide as well.

1. What can be done about this problem

1. The only source that can actually fix the problem of obesity is going to be the individual themselves. This means that people need to decide on their own that they are going to live a healthier life and be more active. New media can offer any solution in the world, but whether or not the person uses that as a source is up to them.

1. Conclusion

A. My advice is to stop reading this (but remember the things discussed and proven!) and go out and exercise! But it doesn't stop there-- eat healthy foods and spend little to no time in front of the TV or at the computer.