Many Americans are aiming for the perfect body whether if it’s for being more attractive or for being more active. However, there are a number of people who are considered “obese”. In fact, over two-thirds of all Americans are considered obese. Obesity does not only affect adults, but also children as well. Obesity is debatably one of the leading causes of death mainly because it affects not just the said people who are obese but also the people around them.
The problem with obesity would be the types of food Americans eat. The majority of food available in America is either fast foods or other fatty snacks (sweets, TV dinners, etc.). According to Sue Widemark, fast foods “not only doesn’t take up room in the stomach, it also provides high numbers of calories.” She believes that vegetables are more suitable to reduce chances of obesity. Widemark states that “Vegetables tend to fill us up and are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and even contain cancer preventing materials.”
So why do so many Americans eat fast food more than 5 times a week? Many food companies are advertising unhealthy foods more than healthy alternatives. This would tell people that fast foods are more affordable or more delicious than healthy foods. Also, say for example, a businesswoman is late for work and does not have time for breakfast. With fast-food restaurants, she is able to pick up breakfast and still make it in time for work. Many people are in this type of scenario which would add to the rise of obesity. “More Americans are eating fast food, which usually has higher calories and fat” (Frissel and Susan 11).
Many people sought to fight this problem in numerous ways. People started instituting American fitness clubs and health stores (Smoothie King for example). Also there are numerous advertisements for health-loss programs and special medication for overweight people. Also politicians are creating many foundations to help fight obesity. Some problems with these solutions: Americans could be too lazy to react, have little to no money, or tune out these solutions.
The best solution for obesity would be to persuade Americans to become more active. There are many ways for this solution to happen. In work areas, the boss could tell his workers to go to a local gym at least twice a week. At school, PE teachers can persuade the principal/school board to institute PE every day, for each grade level. During every day life, every neighborhood could have at least two reachable parks with fun activities every week. For example, a school could promote a neighborhood activity at their local park every week on the school news to attract the children to attend. These three solutions can be both fun and healthy at the same time.
Many people do not realize that obesity is a major issue until it happens to them or to their love ones. My brother was on the borderline of being obese. The doctor even told him, that if he did not exercise soon, he will be at risk for type 1 diabetics. Luckily, his middle school offered many sports-like activities and sports teams. He soon became interested in basketball, cabbage ball, and flag football. After 6 months he lost about 15 pounds. If America were to get more involved in playing sports instead of watching them, America would be a more active country. But the only thing keeping America from this dream is themselves.
Work Cited
Cain, Greg. "Some Forms of Obesity Could Be Designated as a Disability." New Zealand Herald (25 June 2008). Rpt. in How Should Obesity be Treated? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.
Dulan, Mitizi. "Obesity Is Costing America $147 Billion." Opposing Views: Issues, Experts, Answers. 28 July 2009. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <http://www.opposingviews.com/i/obesity-is-costing-america-147-billion>.
Frissel, Susan. Eating Disorders and weight control. Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc, 1998.
Keating, Joshua E. "Fat race: last year's jeans won't fit? Blame the free market." Foreign Policy 182 (2010): 40. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.
Patrick Basham and Jane Feinman. "The Health Risks of Obesity Have Been Exaggerated." Health. Ed. Auriana Ojeda. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.
Widemark, Sue. "Reasons for Obesity." Sue Widemark on the Web. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. <http://suewidemark.netfirms.com/reasonsforobesity.htm>.
No comments:
Post a Comment