The Obesity Epidemic in America Essays

America is known for being one of the most obese countries in the world. Once you step foot in America, people can quickly find out why; everywhere you look there are a ton of fast food chains on nearly every block. Fast food to Americans is a quick, easy, and affordable way to get food. In the past Forty years, more than 160,000 fast food restaurants have opened in America (Pirello). This cheap and quick meal comes at a cost; according to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDCP), more than 66 percent of Americans are overweight and obese. To make things worse, the CDCP notes that one third of children and adolescents are obese. David Zinczenko, the editor-in- chief of Men’s Health

Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduce life expectancy and/or increased health problems. “The problem of obesity is increasing in the United States. Understanding the impact of social inequalities on health has become a public health priority in the new millennium. Social, political, and economic factors now are acknowledged to be "fundamental" causes of disease that affect behavior, beliefs, and biology.” (Goodman, 2003)  In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3 decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. Obesity has not always been seen as a medical

In America today one in three adults are considered to be obese. Over the years the rate of obesity keeps climbing up and up. Some people blame fast-food or the environment Americans live in. After all,someone can purchase a chocolate bar at a bookstore nowadays. But, most people are looking at the incorrect factor to blame. Although the food industry is a huge contribution to obesity in America, people are ultimately responsible for their own health.

Obesity in the United States continues growing alarmingly. Approximately 66 % of adults and 33 % of children and teenagers in the US are overweight. Obesity is the result of fat accumulated over time due to the lack of a balanced diet and exercise. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) higher than thirty percent is considered obese (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 271).

Obesity is becoming one of the biggest problems in the country, but there has to be reasons for it. It can be the economy, society now, or people and companies. It’s time that our country starts to realize that we can’t live like this anymore. We need to see what is causing the sudden rise in obesity, and what we can do to fix it. Education of risks and solutions can be very helpful. Obesity is killing so many people, yet is still 100 percent avoidable. Our country is beginning to care less and really let themselves go. The fast food industry, supermarkets, and schools are the ones at fault for the spreading problem of obesity.

Obesity is the most preventable health issue in America. It is considered the main problem in the United States and also has been around for centuries. Despite the fact that countless individuals are unaware about the increasing statistics associated with obesity, more than seventy percent of men and women within the United States adult population are overweight or obese. When discussing the obesity epidemic in America, many people name fast food companies as the number one cause, but there are several factors besides fast food that further deepen the obesity epidemic. Medication, stress, psychological issues all contribute to the obesity epidemic in America.

Obesity in America has become a huge problem. No one understands why the obesity rate in America is increasing, but we need to stop it. A lot of obesity rates come from poverty stricken families. Since they do not have the income to buy healthy food; they choose the cheapest fast food place to provide for themselves and their children. The fast food industry is the reason for the obesity rates rising higher each year. They are educated enough to know that people who do not have to money to buy healthy meals will depend on their company.

Obesity does not discriminate against social status, sex, or race; it can take a person’s life and turn it upside down in the blink of an eye if they are not careful. Some people think of obesity as a worldwide killer because there is no outrunning it if it overtakes a person’s body. Every 1 in 3 adults are obese right here in America, that should give each and every individual some type of hint that there is a major problem occurring. The obesity epidemic is not something that has just caught the attention of people recently; it has been going on since the 1950’s! This epidemic is a major problem; over 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being obese or extremely overweight and over 40 million children were said to be obese in

Obesity has rapidly emerged as a serious health issue in America. The cause of obesity results from America’s social injustices. Today, food advertisements are in all places promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. Considering the great expense of healthy foods, low income families can barely afford fruits and vegetables. These two factors contribute to the increasing obesity rate in the United States. Unfortunately, it has taken an excessive amount of Americans to become obese for America to become aware of the issue and take action. Although obesity is still an increasing problem, America is fighting to reduce the number of obese citizens. As a result of low income and the media advertising unhealthy lifestyles, America is in the midst of an obesity epidemic.

From 1960-62 to 2005-06 the number of obese Americans almost tripled from 13.4% to 35.1% (Weight-control Information Network 2). These two extreme upward trends might make a convincing case that the extra fast food intake has caused the hike in obesity rates, and it may very well be a good indication, but it is far from proof. Too many things have changed over the years, from the way the average American exercises, to the types of other food that people are consuming.

As the fast food world spread across the nation, obesity was shortly following in its footsteps. According to, “The History of the Fast Food Industry,” Since 1970 the amount of fast food restaurants have doubled, which equates to roughly 300,000 establishments in the United States. Ironically, 33.8% of the U.S. population is affected by obesity and 19% of children and young adults are also affected.

Obesity epidemic has increased in the last three decades because of the lifestyle that people have chosen. Many people eat fast foods that are high on calories and yet they have little time to exercise and burn the calories. The movements of people are also limited as people have lifts and cars moving them from one place to another. Our communities have led to people who believe delicious has to be junk food and this puts their lives at risk. People have busy lifestyles that they may not mind about the need to exercise or have a proper meal.

According to the online articles “Why Has The Obesity Rate Grown in America Over the Last Fifty Years” by Avina Plascencia and “Prevalence of Obesity in the United States,2009-2010” by Cynthia L.Olgen and other authors state a rage of 17% of youths are obese as well as 35% of adults. These authors also mention, 35% more or less, are obese. Back to the 1980’s through 2010 the obesity rate has doubled, but since 2010, the rate has increased another 13%. Sadly the American people have to suffer with this epidemic, in the rise ,while affecting a generation of the future. The distinctives of the country need change because conforming to FRAC staff, “the heaviest Americans have become heavier in the past decade.” Alas, the country is known as the fat country that trends within fat foods.Individuals can fix this problem by removing at least some of the processed and fast foods. Making portion meals in the restaurants and only selling by servings, this can at least help the situation. The United States isn’t the only country with an obesity problem, this has become a worldwide

The obesity rate in the United States has increased dramatically in the last decade, because the population is resorting to fast food and prepackaged meals for quick and cheap preparation. More people are consuming their meals and snacks on the run in their vehicle, or in front of the T.V. They are not getting very much satisfaction from the food they are consuming on a daily basis. That’s why they are consuming more because everything they eat is always on the go. Obesity in adults can be a result of many factors; such as poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and genetics. The public does not realize the effect

When Mcdonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King and other fast-food industries opened their doors, the number of young adults that are considered obese have dramatically increased like the speed of light every year. Moreover, obesity is described as a condition where the body stores unnecessary fat. Obesity is the leading cause of death due to the consumption of unhealthy food on a daily basis. In fact, it is responsible of heart disease, diabetes, and it causes the blood in the body to become acidic and saturated. Most of the bodies are required a certain amount of calories to stay alive, but not to an extent in which it affects health. Further, this could definitely increase the possibility of