Persuasive Essay On Obesity Epidemic

For example, if a fire started, then one would go to the source of the fire and extinguish it there. Thus, humanity must fix the origin of the problem to defeat obesity: children. Unhealthy eating and physical habits tend to begin during early development stages in children. Fast food can play a role in a child’s life, for example, Pollan says, “The French fry did not become the most popular “vegetable” in America until industry relieved us of the considerable effort needed to prepare French fries ourselves”(583). By depending on fast food during growth stages, children are prone to develop poor eating habits. Consequently, children who develop lousy health habits have an increased likeliness of developing obesity. Beebe and Thompson also state a statistic that says, “By the time they reach 15-19 years of age, obese children incur medical claims that are 29 percent higher than those of healthy-weight kids”(1). Another statistics by Dailey and Ellin states, “But considering that the U.S. has already become a size XL nation- 66 percent of adults over 20 are considered overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control.”(577). When both statistics are examined together, they show that as Americans get older, obesity rates only increase. However, if students are able to acquire knowledge about health and eating from a young age, then it will create lifelong healthy

According to Barbara Wexler, “One of the most disturbing observations about overweight and obesity in the United States is the epidemic of supersized (overweight and obese) kids” (Wexler). Today many children can be persuaded to choose the wrong option when it comes to deciding what may or may not be right for their bodies. There are a number outside forces that can depict on how they make decisions based on their diet when they may not even realize it. It is important for children to understand what is right and wrong when making healthy lifestyle decisions. By insuring that children get what they need, nutrition classes should be mandatory in schools

From the time they were in elementary school, students have heard about the importance of nutrition. Although they have been taught the value of a balanced, healthy diet, students continue to ignore the recommendations given to them and even complain about the steps that the school administration takes to improve the nutritional quality of the foods within the cafeteria. While the students may not realize it, obesity in children and teenagers has been steadily increasing, and schools nationwide are taking action to combat this epidemic (Rutledge 1). Schools should continue providing healthy foods on the lunch menu, as well as in the vending machines.

Over one third of the US population suffers from obesity and overweight. According to a study reported by the NIH (National Institute of Health), more than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight, and 1 in 3 adults were considered to be obese. Children are also victims to this growing epidemic, with 1 in 6 children/adolescents anywhere from 2 to 19 were considered to be obese. This is a growing problem, and it has been for the last 20 years in America.

In the first place, an incorrect caloric balance is the obvious reason for obesity, but a conclusion can be made that this is tied in with terrible school nutrition. “In most cases (95%-99%), childhood obesity is caused by caloric imbalance, meaning more calories are consumed than are expended”, it is evident that children eat a portion of their meal at their school, and moreover resulting in bad nutrition choices(Faguy,2016,p.283). With the abundant amount of junk food in vending machines ranging from chips to sodas it is nearly impossible to eat healthy. The repetitive and fattening school lunch becomes a routine meal for the students, resulting in little to no real choice to eat healthy and pleasing.

More than 2.1 billion people are overweight in our nation. This is a shocking statistic because more and more people are becoming overweight each year. It is important to recognize this is an epidemic in our nation. It is bad for our health and something needs to be done to stop this problem. Recent articles are talking about why people are becoming overweight or obese. The three culprits to blame people becoming overweight are the consumer, government, and the Food Industry.

The occurrence of childhood obesity has become a huge public health concern in the past few decades although it may not be as widely noticed such as cancer and other diseases like heart and lung disease. Obesity is a disease. This disease is associated with other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and mental health complications (CDC, 2013). There is a great need for implementation of low-fat, low-sugar, and portion-controlled options available to all children and adolescents at home and school. It is best to teach them early in hopes that they will continue to make healthy eating choices throughout their future. Healthier eating choices will not only have a long lasting effect on their health but also the health and economy of the general public. When a person eats healthier, it is more likely that they will have less health issues in the future in turn lowering healthcare costs and reliance on insurance and public health programs. As a community and country, action needs to be taken now to protect our children and our future.

As you are aware, the United States suffers from an increase in obesity. The United States ranks among the top 10 most obese countries, one-third of our nation’s population is considered overweight/obese, and approximately 17% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 are obese. With these statistics, it is evident that many American’s are not practicing good eating habits. I thank you for your effort of trying to reduce this problem. Your approach to start teaching at a young age is clever, and your tactic to implement federal requirements in public schools has come to benefit many individuals. After reviewing your lunch program, I was impressed with the strict rules to ensure that a healthy diet is promoted. With further research, I wanted to suggest a few more options to enhance your program and strengthen the fight against obesity.

Many Americans are struggling with keeping a healthy weight, and this problem even is seen through this country’s children. Schools should educate children about obesity and the consequences it has on their bodies. Overweight children are more common in today’s society because of the bad choices parents and schools make toward feeding their children. When the time comes to make healthy decisions, children can make bad choices because of the influences brought on by their environments. Children need to be taught how to eat healthy and perform more exercises. Since children are in school many hours a day, the schools need to help end this problem by preparing healthier meals, encouraging students to exercise, and educating the students about the health problems related to obesity.

All children need to be taught about making heathy food choices. Parents, caregivers, school food service personnel, and teachers need to teach healthier food and drink choices at home and school. Core curriculum could incorporate lessons on an eating healthy lifestyle. Meals served at school should be focused on getting kids to eat healthier and should be prepared in a way that is appealing and good tasting to a young child. Family meal times are not now sitting down, having quality time together and eating a meal to promote more healthful food choices. Parents give into a child’s demands for unhealthy food choices that promote overweight and obesity because children are targets for advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods by the media. (Costley, & Leggett, 2010). More often, parents and

In 2014 the World Health Organization estimated that about 41 million children of toddler age were obese (Obesity and Overweight para.1), in other words they have about 5 years living on Earth and already are dying. Obesity and who’s really responsible for the cause of it has been a back and forth argument between customers, fast food companies, and government health agencies. For years many have tried to blame and even sue Mcdonalds, Burger King, and many other fast food companies, claiming that it is their fault for their overweight health condition, but I believe this is the opposite. The reality to this issue is that the physical company does not play a role in this issue since they do not force their food into our mouths, but their food does play a role in obesity. Each individual in our society is responsible for their own health and needs, therefore, there is no need to blame companies when we realize that our decisions have caught up to us. These companies are trying their best to provide alternatives, but if we do not take them than they are not to blame for our future death. Having medical researchers label obesity as a health disease is not helping the situation anymore, than people not taking responsibility, because now it allows them to obtain an excuse for their choices.

Body image and obesity are always going to be hot-button issues as long as fast foods restaurants are still in business. Obesity is a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. In other words, obesity is a condition where a person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health. Proportions of food are different from decades ago compared to now. Movie popcorn serving size was five cups with calories of 270 back in the 1980’s, now movie theatres are serving big tubs with loads of butter with calories of 630. Today proportions of food have really expanded causing calorie consumption to go up. To reduce obesity people should focus on educating the youth, promoting healthy eating and doing exercise at least an hour a day. Easily adding vegetables to what we eat, substituting that In-n-Out burger for something way less caloric.

But, this increased access will not help us if our citizens never utilize it. They will need to commit to a healthier lifestyle and limit their daily calorie intake. An exercise plan would also help in implementing a healthy lifestyle in our community. All it takes is an hour of physical activity (outside) each day instead of sitting inside on the couch eating potato chips. If we can commit to an hour of exercise each day, then we will be very successful in fulfilling a healthy lifestyle in our communities. With those steps completed, surely our percentages and ranks will drop to a more reasonable level. Our ultimate goal is for our citizens to live a healthy lifestyle, and with this plan we believe that it can happen.

Due to low income, which in turn leads to limited food access, obesity has remained at a constant stand still in Greene County. The goal is to be able to reduce the percentage of obesity in Springfield both by educating the public and increasing food accessibility. Hopefully, we will be able to do this through the use of some of our stakeholders, the people who have been affected by this issue and who also have a say in how to solve it.

“Mrs. Vendetti, I am sorry to inform you that your son has been diagnosed with the following: Echogenic enlarged liver, Fatty liver disease, insulin resistant, gastritis, and esophageal polyps. This is caused due to Waylon being severely being overweight. A t this time all of these conditions are one-hundred percent reversible. All you have to do is put him on a balanced and nutritious diet, and increase his physical activity level. If you choose not to follow the necessary steps to reversing this, then your son will continue to suffer and his diseases will grow worse and hit a point of no return. ” Kimberlee Vendetti took the doctors advice and put her son on a plan to change his life. She cut down on his television time, increased his physical activity, and put him on a clean eating diet. Some parents however, do not change the live styles for themselves or their children, leaving their child to suffer from diseases that were at one time one-hundred preventable.