And it’s called . . . (drumroll) . . . physical activity!

Um. Really?

Yes. Really.

Recently the Director of the Center for Disease Control, Dr. Thomas Frieden said:

“Physical activity is the closest thing we have to a wonder drug . . . Being active is one of the most important things people of all ages, sizes, and shapes can do to improve their health.”

Dr. Frieden was responding in part to the fact that more and more of our lives involves sitting on our butts and sedentary lifestyles are wreaking havoc on our bodies. That, in combination with unhealthy food options, is condemning more people to a life of obesity and the chronic illnesses and pains associated with it.

In the U.S., 31.8% of adults are obese. Until recently, the U.S. held the number one spot in the world for obesity (USA! USA!). We were just barely surpassed by Mexico this year. A traditional Mexican diet is fairly carb-heavy, but until now physically active day jobs and activities helped people burn off the calories. Today, however, the combination of sedentary lifestyles, a carb-heavy traditional diet, and access to more junk food has created a health crisis for Mexicans.

Perhaps our neighbors can learn from struggles in the U.S. with obesity, particularly among children. I recently read about successful efforts in 11 U.S. cities to significantly cut childhood obesity through healthier food options and increased physical activity. An interesting pattern among the steps these cities took is that they did not turn kids into cross-country runners. Instead they focused on getting kids out of their seats and moving more regularly throughout the day with cool programs like JAM (Just A Minute).

They found the secret wonder drug, and best of all its affordable, accessible, and prescription free.