Introduction Obesity has become a major problem today for individuals, families as well as the government. While individuals contend with numerous health complications as a result of obesity, the government loses out at the economic front as citizens become less productive. In an attempt to ensure that individuals live healthier lives, attention has in the past been focused largely on obesity related health complications including but not limited to diabetes (type 2) and coronary heart disease. However, more attention should instead be focused on empowering individuals to make better food choices and embrace exercises. In this way, individuals will end up living healthier lives. Living Healthy: Focusing on Exercises and Better Food Choices According to DeBruyne, Pinna and Whitney (2011), "research suggests that fast-food consumption contributes significantly to the development of obesity." The reason for this according to the authors has got to do with the content of fast-foods. Torkos and Vanderhaeghe (2008) point out that obesity rates have been on the increase alongside a booming fast-food industry. This is a clear indication that there exists a positive correlation between the consumption of fast-foods and obesity. In the opinion of the authors, fast-foods are "laden with fat, sugar and empty calories" (Torkos and Vanderhaeghe 2008). It is these components that trigger weight gain. With that in mind, it should be noted that the risk of an individual being obese is
Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States. With obesity rates on the rise something must be done to prevent this massive issue. Seventeen percent of children and adolescents about 12.5 million are obese (Diet). Obesity is the result of a rise in fat that accumulated over time due to the lack of exercise and having a calorie surplus due to unhealthy food. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) higher than 30% is considered to be obese (Obesity). There isn’t a direct focus on obesity, because people don’t think it’s an important issue. To ensure a better future, solution is needed now. The solution to ending the obesity epidemic by encouraging a healthier lifestyle on children at young ages, improving nutrition at schools and restaurants, as well as providing more time and space for citizens to get physically active.
I think the relationship between fast food and obesity is that people are too lazy and/or busy to make their own food and have to go to fast food places to eat. They visit fast food places to get their food fast because they are in a hurry to work or
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).
Adult overweight and obesity have become a worldwide issue that has very dangerous consequences on health. World Health Organization defines obesity as the “epidemic of the 21st Century”. WHO reports show that 1.9 billion people with 18 years age and older are overweight, and 600 million of them are obese. In the United States, obesity is a serious problem today that results from overconsumption of high-fat food and sugary food with lack of exercise. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention reports show that the obesity rates are above 20 percent in all states. Overweight and obesity have become a major public health issue because of their high rates of mortality and morbidity. People who are considered overweight or obese are at increased
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.
Since the 1980’s, obesity has been a huge issue in America. Obesity is the condition of being extremely overweight. Several Americans today are eating too much food and not exercising enough. Americans today fail to realize how important it is to stay healthy and fit. Obesity is a result of the body receiving more calories than needed. Once a human consumes too many calories, the body stores these additional calories which becomes body fat. Over time, these excess calories will result in weight gain. Individuals will gain less weight if they ingest fewer calories. The obesity epidemic is getting worse day by day and it’s beginning to control the lives of Americans. Therefore, it is our job as Americans to rid of this epidemic before it seizes
Obesity is an increasing epidemic affecting the United States in an alarming and negative way. In the past centuries it was rare for Americans to be obese. Today they’re numerous factors contributing to the epidemic but they can be reversed with awareness of the severity of the issue, it’s affect on health, and a willingness to make changes in their daily life.
Obesity remains an extremely serious problem worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now rapidly increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continues to rise. NIH (2012) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According IFT over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (Fast food restaurants ‘not to blame’ for American obesity 2012). IFT.org (2012) in September it was predicated that 75% of Americans would be overweight in 2020. The problem is thought to cause Americans $150-170 billion in annual medical costs. Many people argue that the
Obesity among Americans has been a growing issue in the United States predominantly over the past decade. Many may argue American’s are obese because of poor food choices, over-eating, genetic disposition, lack of exercise, or the environment which one lives, while others blame it all on fast-food chains and restaurants. Throughout my research I have come to find a lot of facts and statistics about fast food consumption causing obesity. Statistics show that without a doubt the United States is the most obese country in the world.
The Campaign to End Obesity is a national public health campaign whose overall motto is “to advance America’s journey to healthy weight.” It is known in this current age that two-thirds of America’s adults and one-third of the youth population are overweight or obese. Even more shocking is the fact that over $200 billion has been spent on medical costs attributed to obesity. Obesity will be the main contributor for why this generation of youth will live shorter lives than their parents if we keep going at the rate we are now. This public health campaign was established in
Obesity is an epidemic in America, greatly impacting youth, the health care system, and economically vulnerable populations. Among all of the high-income countries in the world, obesity rates remain the highest in the US. According to Harvard, US obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980, although they have remained the same since 2003. (Harvard School of Public Health) Approximately 31.9% of children and adolescents from the ages of 2 to 19 are obese or overweight (NPLAN), while roughly 69% of adults fall into the category of overweight or obese. (Harvard School of Public Health) With obesity rates this high, America is facing a huge crisis that could become greater in the future. In order to understand the issue of Obesity in
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 66 percent of Americans over the age of 20 are overweight or obese, and three out of ten are obese. The CDC began gathering data on obesity in 1960, and at that point, thirteen percent of Americans were obese. Obesity slowly began to increase until the 1980’s when it began to rise rapidly. Now, the number of obese people has nearly tripled since then (Stern, Kazaks 15). These trends continue to increase, and now, more than ever, organizations and institutions are pushing to create a healthier America. The problem with obesity is that is preventable, but difficult to overcome due to certain circumstances. Many factors play a role in determining the likelihood of an individual becoming obese. These circumstances include poor diets, poor energy balance, culture and family history, and environment among other things.
Obesity, the condition of being severely overweight, is a serious issue in the United States that is gradually beginning to affect more and more citizens. In recent years, the number of Americans suffering from this chronic disease has significantly increased. Researchers have found that nearly one third of the U.S. population is considered overweight and, on average, three hundred thousand individuals die yearly as a result of obesity (Hollands et al. 2). When one participates in little to no physical activity and their diet consists mostly of high fat foods, chances are they will gain weight. If someone becomes obese, they may develop serious health related issues that, in some cases,
“If and when the public chooses to use government power to offset the factors that promote obesity, we can do so. A day may come when we decide to limit advertising of unhealthy food, strengthen lifestyle teaching in schools, and create stronger financial incentives to adhere to lifestyle recommendations. The more eager we the people are to fight the obesogenic environment, the more responsive and effective our governments will become” (Medscape General Medicine, vol. 9, no. 4, 2007).
Making healthy choices today can be hard. You know eating fast food isn’t good but you still indulge, why? You do this because fast food is easier to get access to than making healthy food. In fact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that, “...17% of youth, or 12.5 million are obese.” The CDC also adds,” Obese and overweight people also ate more fast food.” This shows that kids these days are eating too much fast food which causes drastic weight gain. Therefore, kids these days are mostly becoming obese because of fast food.