Explaining Habits: Chapter Summary

102). One might impugn that it is not poverty but lack of education that affects the obesity epidemic. It does not require a mathematician to comprehend that choosing a two dollar case of Honey Buns as opposed to a six dollar bag of apples will equal more food in the refrigerator. Generally, processed foods are more “energy dense” than garden-fresh foods; they contain less water and fiber but more added fat and sugar, which make them both less satisfying and more calorific (Pollan, 2006). Provisions similar to fruits and vegetables contain high water content that permits individuals to feel satiated rather swiftly. Nutritious meals are more expensive, less tasty, and are more time consuming to prepare, fostering unhealthy eating patterns. On special occasions, parents will treat their children to McDonalds where everything is “super-sized”. Adults and children can acquire debauched consumption patterns because they don’t comprehend the quantity they have enthusiastically ingested. Pollan (2006) stated that “Well-designed fast food has a fragrance and flavor all its own, a fragrance and flavor only nominally connected to hamburgers or French fries or for that matter to particular food” (p. 111).

Tracy McMillan claims in her article, ‘‘Gap in Diet Quality between Wealthiest and Poorest American Doubles, Study Finds’’ that low-income American families have the poorest diet quality. One evidence is proven ‘‘All Americans Improved on average between 2005 and 2010, the progress masked a decline in diet quality among

When it comes to the topic of obesity, most will readily agree that it is a growing dilemma. This argument has many writers bringing different responses. Two explanations are debated in What You Eat is Your Business by Radley Balko and Don’t Blame the Eater by David Zinczenko. Both pieces create a good stance on the topic of obesity. Balko’s piece, however, has a better all around flow, organization and consistency.

Author Sumner refers to this idea as the “ western diet”. She believes that because of the wealth and power companies have on food, people are persuaded to buy into this western diet that ultimately has food containing processed food meats, added fats and sugar and very few to no fruits, vegetables and whole grains (Sumner, 2013, p. 82). This explains why the health of individuals is damaging that Orr mentions in the text and as a result why health related illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes etc. are now more common in society (Orr, 2004). According to Orr, “ policy of cheap food and cheap energy for which we will pay dearly in the long run” demonstrates how society is already paying for this through these health and environmental problems (2004, p.176). As a result of these negative aspects on the current food system, Sumner proposes that food literacy is needed. Although Orr does not directly mention this term in the novel, it can be related to the aspect of having ecological literacy. Food literacy however goes more in depth to focus on “ the degree to which people are able to obtain, process, and understand basic information about food in order to make appropriate health decisions” (Sumner, 2013,

What we eat, the way we do it, and why we do it, will always be scrutinized and in this article the author does just that. She argues that eating healthy or not depends on witch social class we fit in; witch can be true in a way. However, eating healthy or not can also be a question of choice. Obviously having more money will always give you more choices and the option to go for expensive products with higher quality. The journalist goes back to the 19th century saying that white bread was a luxury that only rich people could afford but showed no evidence that, by eating white bread they were healthier than the poor who could not afford it.

Statistical information confirms: obesity and overweight have already turned into an issue of national concern. In 2002, “a National Survey conducted by American Sports Data revealed that 61% of adults in the U.S. felt that they were overweight, 19% admitting that they were ‘considerably’ overweight” (American Sports Data). The major causes of obesity, overweight, and similar nutritional problems included genetics, population trends, hurried lifestyles, high-carbohydrate diets, less demanding workplaces, smoking cessation, and social class aspects (American Sports Data). That hurried lifestyles and a less demanding workplace contribute in the development of obesity trends is clear. But even more importantly, because the number of those who are overweight or obese exceeds one half of the American population, the government must control our diets. The information about the costs of obesity and related diseases is even more compelling.

The food Americans will acquire today appears cheap and easy but, society does not comprehend where our food comes from exactly and the treatment of the food. Moreover, food during the depression was scarce and now, Americans lavous in food choices at every corner thus the American trademark of this century. Therefore, families of four approximately eat different meals per person and food in stores resides indefinitely. With choices at such a luxury, society forgot where our food comes from. Food consist of more than the happy cow on milk and cheese, food resides not on a farm, but in a crowded, dirty, disease ridden, building waiting to be slaughtered. Consequently the food Americans receive spreads more incurable and unheard of diseases because the government does not tell society the treatment of our food.

Obesity is a vast problem worldwide, but it is undoubtedly most centered in the United States. According to Mark Bittman in his article Bad Food? Tax It, and Subsidize Vegetables, “Health-related obesity costs are projected to reach $344 billion by 2018…” (77). Why is this such a problem, and how can we fix it for good? The most critical influencer is the people themselves. We are not making the right decisions when it comes to the food we decide to put into our bodies, whether it be that yummy Twinkie you had earlier as a snack or that chocolate energy bar that claims to be nourishing. In addition to our less-than-ideal diets, our sedentary lifestyles require little exercise. We are not burning off the calories we

Nutrition and diet has become an important issue in the overall health of Americans today. Far too many people are choosing convenient, fast food over a home cooked meal. This poor diet is leading many Americans to have health problems, and causing a rise in obesity rates. Many claim that this trend is due to factors like race and poverty. At a glance on the issue, it does appear that the problem lays in the race and income level of communities. This problem and it’s complexities are shown in an article by Kristin Wartman, who share their views on the problem, and while I do agree with a lot of her key points I disagree with many of them as well.

One of the biggest problems in America today is the amount of people who are living obese. There is much controversy that is surrounding this topic because it is one’s health that is at stake. Scientist’s and medical professionals suggest that obese people have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, and the list just keeps going on. Some of the reasons that more and more people are becoming overweight in today’s society is for starts, the prices of unhealthy foods at supermarkets and fast food restaurants. The healthier food options are much more expensive than the unhealthy options. If someone wanted to go to a McDonalds to buy a cheeseburger for

In every community, there is a clear distinction between wealth and poverty. Elites and peasants rely on each other to keep the community active and alive. Within America, the rich are separate from the poor through factors such as housing, education, employment, race, and gender. They are also separated through the foods they eat. Issues of class, status, and economic standing emerge from the context of highbrow and lowbrow culture, racial history, and even through nutrition. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a community of conventionally nutritious people who emphasized the importance of following a “healthy” diet. However, it wasn’t until I moved into my first apartment that I discovered the amount of money, planning, and time that goes into creating a traditionally healthy and balanced diet. My economic position allows myself, my roommates, and my family to eat well. However, the same cannot be said for many Americans. By looking through the lenses of class and authenticity, one can uncover the ugly relationship between economics and food: eating healthy food costs more, and the costliness of a healthy diet increases the separation between classes in America.

Obesity has become a major health crisis in America. More than two thirds of Americans are classified as overweight or obese, a condition which not only harms society but places a heavy burden on the medical industry. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, elevate cholesterol levels, create hypertension, and contribute to coronary illness. While there are a small number of genetic factors that can cause obesity, it is almost always caused by too little activity and too many calories. Despite educational programs that teach the benefits of a healthy diet and adequate exercise, obesity has nearly doubled in the last 35 years. Mark Bittman, author of “Bad Food? Tax It and Subsidize Vegetables”, argues that the only

The consumption of food is not only a necessary action of all living organisms, such as humans, but also plays a key role in determining the survival and prosperity of the stated living organisms. The human race has, throughout the World’s history, caused a shift of food being a core necessity for survival, to food being a common, unhealthy indulgence. In present times, food takes precedence beyond all other matters of one’s life -- often to irreversible consequences. Now more than ever is the indulgence of food a topic of controversy. Specifically, how to create a more accessible and easy to maintain healthy lifestyle for young, obese American citizens. Therefore, change must be enacted now for betterment of the present and following generations of American youth. In order to bring about this change, society, fast-food restaurants, and educating youth about food requires a drastic makeover for the U.S to have a chance of winning the war on obesity.

The lower class and some middle class in the United States suffer from measurably worse nutrition because they have such limited access to a healthy and fresh meal. It is correct that eating well improves your overall health, shape and reduces the risk of chronic illness,

As modern America grows and grows, so does the waistline of it’s citizens. Since the middle of the 20th century there has been a rapid increase in the obesity rate of American men women and children. Many have chosen to throw the blame upon the fast food industry for so fervently promoting their highly non-nutritional products on the consumer. The fault, however, truly falls on American citizens lack of personal responsibility for their own diets. Citizens of the United States are growing obese due to the fact that a vast majority lack the self control to not rely on the fast, cheap, easy option when it comes to their daily diet. In order to fix this issue the individual American must alter their dietary priorities from an emphasis on fast and cheap food, to an understanding of the value of wholesome ingredients.