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Obesity Is The Number One Health Problem Of The 21st Century

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Over the years, America has become an obese nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirms that obesity is the number one health problem of the 21st century. Two-thirds of states in America have adult obesity rates about 25% (Snaric, 2010). There are many factors that contribute to Americas obesity including, socioeconomics, fast food, and emotional influences. Socioeconomics is the interaction of social and economic factors (Merriam-Webster). Socioeconomics is linked to obesity because it causes individuals with less money to become more likely to be overweight. Low-income families have a higher rate of obesity. A study found that 35.3% of adults who earn less than $15,000 a year in salary are obese. This study is compared with 24.5% of adults who earn $50,000 or more a year who are obese (Snaric, 2010). It is easier for families with low income to find deals on junk food rather than nutritious foods. Sociologists also found that poor neighborhoods are more likely to only have convenient stores near them, thus making it easy for families to buy food without having to worry about travel money. However, convenient stores are filled with junk foods that are loaded with sugar and empty calories. Junk food gives low-income families more food for their money as opposed to healthy foods (Snaric, 2010). Dr. Adam Drewnowski of University of Washington studied that foods produced by subsidized crops, like French fries and soda, cost five times less

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