Readers Write: July 13

Americans need to move more often

As a family doctor, I am worried ‘sick’ about our country. Everywhere I look, friends, politicians, community leaders, coworkers, neighbors — Americans are overweight. Seventy percent of Americans are obese or overweight.

If this is not a shocking statistic, I don’t know what is.

I have struggled with weight control all of my life, so I try to eat right, exercise at least three times per week; and, to burn more calories, I have taken to reading the paper standing up, instead of sitting, which is terrible for our spines.

I am afraid our sedentary lives are killing us. Diabetes, hypertension, heart and joint diseases are rampant in our society.

On the positive side, you would be amazed what a difference even a five-pound weight loss makes, say, for a diabetic or anyone for that matter.

On a gorgeous summer morning, I don’t see enough kids on the streets of our neighborhoods playing outside. How sad.

Just a reminder to all, including myself, to move as much as possible; avoid sitting; get out there in the yard, walk with a neighbor, get on your bicycle, play ball and limit screen time.

SALPI ADROUNY, JOHNS CREEK

All animals deserve humane treatment

It’s a sad day for the people of Georgia that a foie gras producer is setting up shop in our state (“Ariane Daguin brings D’Artagnan’s ducks to Georgia,” News, June 28.). The production of this French product is through shoving a steel funnel down the throats of birds for weeks on end to force feed them to the point their liver becomes diseased. It’s that diseased liver which is the final product. Sound appetizing? This type of abuse doesn’t fit with the view us Georgians have that all animals, including farm animals, deserve humane treatment.

SIOBHAN GILCHRIST, ATLANTA