Healthful Diet For Families In The United States: Article Analysis

During the past 20 years, there has been a substantial increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. More than one-third of U.S.

As per Healthy People 2020 most Americans do not consume healthy diets and are not physically active at levels needed to maintain proper health. As a result of these behaviors the nation has experienced a dramatic increase in obesity in the U.S with 1 in 3 adults (34.0%) and 1 and 6 children and adolescents (16.2%) are obese. In addition to grave health consequences of being overweight and obese. It significantly raises medical cost and causes a great burden on the U.S medical care delivery system ("Healthy People 2020," 2014, p. 1).

It has become impossible for low-income families to provide healthy meals for their families. Government, Farm policies and the food industry itself are main reasons as to why the cost of healthy foods has become harder for American families, especially low-income families, to provide the healthy foods needed to fight the obesity epidemic. With low- income families being the main focus point on the problem of

Obesity remains an extremely serious issue worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now dramatically increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continue to soar. CDC (2009) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According to NHANES over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (CDC, 2009). Treatment for this illness varies; it may include the incorporation of diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication, and surgery. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States in the past three decades. In 2012, roughly 17% or 12.5 million children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2014). According to the Centers of Disease Control and

It is no secret that obesity is huge problem in the United States. About 40% of the United States’ population is obese (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). According to CDC, obesity causes: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and is the second most preventable disease in the United States (2014). If that’s not enough of a public health problem, than add the 147 billion dollars spent in healthcare expenses just in the U.S. alone (CDC, 2014). According to the text, Public Health 101, “the prevalence of obesity has been steadily rising in the U.S. over the last 50 years; increasing over 250%” (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). The obesity percentages increase when a family is in poverty. The facts are that if you make about $30,000 a year; the children of that family is almost twice as likely to be obese than a family that is making 350% above the poverty level, which is about $136,000 a year (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). But, to make it even worse, the Mexican Americans and non-Hispanics black populations don’t even follow those statistics; they have a high obesity level in all socioeconomic levels (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114).

Socio-economic status and obesity also relate. A concerning problem is that buying a burger off of the dollar menu can actually be cheaper than buying fruits and vegetables. It has actually become easier and more affordable to buy unhealthy foods such as fast foods and processed foods. In low-income areas, schools also tend to serve unhealthy processed foods in the cafeteria. It has become much more difficult for the poor to access healthy ingredients so they turn to cheap processed foods. The correlation between socio-economic status and income is shown by the fact that Mississippi, the poorest state in America, has the highest obesity rate in the nation (Berl, Rachel).

The United States is facing an obesity epidemic. Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970’s (National Center for Health Statistics, 2009). While recent estimates suggest that the overall rates of obesity have plateaued or even declined among some groups, obesity is widespread and continues to be a leading public health problem in the U.S. (Ogden et al., 2014; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2012; Wen et al., 2012). More than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, and about a quarter of 2-5 year olds and one-third of school-age children (including adolescents) are overweight or obese in the U.S. (Ogden et al., 2014). Health critics and those alike are placing a lot of blame and pressure on food companies as enablers to this matter. There are several factors that influence this complex condition to include, genetic, behavioral, social, cultural, and environmental influences (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2001). Critics say that factors that

Obesity is a threat to the health of this nation and is the root of many life-threatening ailments, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes (“What are the Risks of Obesity and Overweight” 2012). These diseases severely decrease the the quality of life for those affected, with many of the victims suffering greatly until they are consumed by death. The treatment of these diseases is expensive and it does not cure the underlying cause nor does it ameliorate its grueling side effects. 17% of children aged between 2 and 19 are obese (“Prevalence of Childhood Obesity” 2015), creating a new generation of obese Americans. These children are being plagued by diseases that previously solely affected adults, namely diabetes and heart disease. Along with the children, the elderly and middle-aged are prone to obesity as well. 40.2% of Americans between the ages of 40 and 59 are classified as obese, along with 37% of people over 60 (Ogden et. al., 2015). The quality of life for these individuals is severely diminished, and it is

Over the past few decades, obesity rate has grown drastically in the United States. “A third of U.S. adults are obese” (Brady 519), placing them at a higher risk for diseases, and increased healthcare spending. It a preventable nutritional problem that affects people of all ages, gender and race, with minority groups and people of low socioeconomic status disproportionately affected. It is a multifaceted problem with many issues at its root. Obesity is the result of our agricultural policies, present economic condition, and unhealthy lifestyle.

Block, J. P., & Subramanian, S. V. (2015). Moving Beyond "Food Deserts": Reorienting United States Policies to Reduce Disparities in Diet Quality. Plos Medicine, 12(12), 1-9. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001914

Obesity has significantly increased across our country affecting our state, our communities, and society as a whole. Two out of three American adults and well over 9 million young children and adolescents struggle with issues of obesity and being overweight (CDC, 2013). Obesity and being overweight are direct risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, diabetes, and even premature death. Obese and overweight children and adolescents are especially at risk for type II diabetes and major psychological effects such as depression and increased risk of suicide. All risk factors of obesity interfere with one’s daily living routines and it substantially decreases quality of life. In addition, obesity costs are staggering, resulting in $147 billion being used for medical expenses nationwide, which has had significant negative effects on our economy (CDC, 2013).

With the rise of obesity rates in the United States, a need has risen for a long term, effective solution to help subdue this desperate crisis. Obesity rates in America have skyrocketed, but instead of stopping and plateauing like researchers hoped, they have continued to multiply every decade. Recently, Flegal and her researchers

The obesity epidemic is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach. To make a change in this issue, policy makers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals must collaborate to form an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. To promote healthy living behaviors that prevent obesity, the state and local organizations have resources available that helps disseminate reliable public health endorsements and evidence-based practices to the public. In addition, to decrease the obesity prevalent, community efforts should emphasis on supporting a lifestyle that includes healthy consumption and regular physical activities. More so, individuals have a responsibility to combat obesity by maintaining an age appropriate body mass index (BMI), and they can do so by maintaining a healthy weight and consistent physical activities. (CDC, 2015).

In the US, there was a significant increase in obesity levels among adults and youth from 1999 to 2000 through 2013 to 2014. In 2010, obesity led to about 678 000 annual deaths (Benjamin et al., 2017). There was more than one-third of adults and 17% of youth that was obese, although the prevalence did remain stable between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Flegal, Kruszon-Moran, Carroll, Fryar, & Ogden (2016) reported a study, done in 2013 to 2014, based from 2638 adult men of about a mean age of 46.7 and 2817 women of a mean age of 48.4 years. The results stated that the prevalence of obesity was 37.7% in the US. Among men, it 35% and 40.4% in women.