Obesity Epidemic in America and The Factors Contributing to It

Many people, when they think of an epidemic might envision a deadly flu, or some other disease that would be fatal. Most are shocked to find out that obesity is actually an epidemic of such proportions that is considered the second preventable cause of death in the United States. America has a major on-going obesity problem (Neuman, 2018). In America, ninety-three million adults were affected by obesity in 2015-2016. One in three Americans is obese, an additional 34% are overweight, and a third of Americans younger than nineteen are obese and/or overweight. In addition, adult obesity rates surpass 35% in seven states, 30% in twenty-nine states, and 25% in forty-eight states. “Every cure of obesity must begin with these three essential precepts: discretion in eating, moderation in sleeping, and exercise”. The causes of obesity are not necessarily what we eat as much as they are ‘why we eat’: increase in affluence allowing us to access more food, selection and overabundance of food choices, and self-soothing of our high levels of stress using foods all contribute to obesity.

Various levels of affluence allow people the opportunity to purchase more high-calorie foods which change people’s eating habits from home-cooked meals to unhealthy foods, not necessarily fast-foods (Dhillon, 2014). Conversely, poor households are dependent on unhealthy nutrients because it is cheaper and more accessible to them. A study at Harvard University asserts that consuming healthy food is more expensive and costs approximately an additional $550 per person per year, causing people to consume cheaper unhealthy foods.

Becoming obese is not as hard as people may think. Much of obesity is the result of unnecessary and tempting foods and the ability of the body to digest and stock that food as fat reserves (Rogers, 1918). Everywhere people go they are faced with tempting food choices. Whether it be at the kiosks in the mall, waiting in line for the cashier at the grocery store, or going to see a movie at the movie theater; it seems like unhealthy food hunts people. Obese people, however, will never admit these causes, and instead will fail to notice the causes. They may admit that they like certain dishes, but will never think they eat too much.

Everyone has been caught in the trap of stress eating, yet some research shows that ancestral stress is a psychological correlate of obesity. Stress can disturb an individual’s ability to retain a strong, healthy diet. Obese patients usually also show signs of depression, anxiety, and isolation. The relationship between depression and increased food intake is constant in children and teenagers as well. That is a lot of human suffering, a lot of wasted potentials, and a lot of financial stress on the nation’s health systems.

Obesity impacts childhood. Childhood obesity around the world, and particularly in the United States, is a rising problem that has received much attention. While most studies have confirmed correlations between television watching and obesity in children, few studies have looked at the effect that fast food restaurant advertising on television might have on childhood obesity. Ians (2018) found that kids with obesity are likely to develop a debilitating hip disease- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis- during their teenage years. Furthermore, a few causes for childhood obesity are fast-food and a lack of exercise due to the introduction of technology (Chong, 2006). Lately, Americans have adopted an inactive lifestyle with most of their time spent in front of the TV. By doing so, the average American does not perform any physical activity, which is harmful. Similarly, because children are dependent on their parents for providing their meals, their parents’ choices determine their diets. One of the factors that influence a parent’s meal related choices for his or her family is the level of stress she or he is experiencing (Chou, Rashad, & Grossman, 2008). Low-income parents are mainly at risk for high levels of chronic stress, due to the financial and emotional pressures of low-wage work, lack of access to health care, and poor housing. When parents are under stress, they may buy more fast food for their kids in order to save time or lower the demands of meal arrangement.

Presently, obesity impacts healthcare costs. Obesity is a big public-health crisis and something needs to be done (Singal, 2016). Overweightness leads to higher risks of developing complex medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, infertility, high blood cholesterol, and some types of cancer. Type II diabetes is a disease with worrying tendencies. According to Crimmins (2015), people do not get to live to their fullest potential because diabetes kill them. This is very unfortunate.

Provided with all the causes and impacts of obesity, many Americans are trying to fight the battle against obesity, but it is hard when food is being pushed at them constantly. To be overweight is really hard to deal with; there are health problems associated with obesity as well as depression and emotional problems (Chou, Rashad, & Grossman, 2008). Obese people live with constantly being reminded of their damaging habits (Chou, Rashad, & Grossman, 2008). Though there are many causes for obesity, there are as many solutions to tackle the problem. According to Chong (2006), lowering calories and fat, cutting down meal sizes, and providing nutritional information to the consumers can decrease obesity. Americans usually try to find fast and convenient ways to do things which is why fast-food restaurants are so popular and successful (Chong, 2006). Decreasing serving sizes would save more money in the long run if people eat less compared to the medical expenses they are going to face. Chong (2006) declares that Americans are always trying to get their money’s worth by finishing their meals, thinking that they are saving money. However, in the long run, they will be spending more money on medical expenses such as medications and diets when facing the bad effects of obesity (Chong, 2006).

Moreover, restaurants could also increase the options of healthy meals as a responsible approach to reducing the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases associated with eating away from home. Americans rely on foods consumed away from home for an estimated 33% of caloric intake. Many restaurants serve foods that have excessive calories, fat, sugar, and salt while neglecting fruit, vegetables, and whole grains - the important nutritional values needed to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

According to Dhillon (2014), governments should create strategies such as ad campaigns, nutrition labels, and adjustment to public transportation to encourage more physical activity and a healthier lifestyle. Not to mention that there is a simple solution for corpulence: decrease food consumption and increase physical exercise (Rogers, 1918). Losing a pound or two in a week might not seem important at first, but will become considerable in the course of a few months. Eventually those who try to treat their obesity will realize that they desire to eat to live than to live to eat; they will enjoy a longer life and be more comfortable with who they are.

Obesity is an ongoing issue among Americans. Stress, affluence, and the variety of poor food choices contribute to obesity (Chong, 2006). Stress eating can disrupt an individual’s ability to stay healthy and eat healthy nutrients. People with financial difficulties choose to eat junk food because it is cheaper. The desire for junk food has rapidly replaced the desire for fruits and vegetables and other healthy substances. The accessibility of people to various selections of foods also play a role in becoming obese as people are faced with unhealthy foods everywhere they go. Chong (2006) claims that obesity has become a major issue in America and that some kind of action must be taken in order to solve it. Restaurants should serve smaller portion meals and provide consumers with healthier food options. People should change their mindset about obesity by living healthy lives and striving towards a healthy America.

References

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