The Factors of The Problem of Obesity in America

Obesity can be a preventable issue but instead it has taken the wrong turn in America. Researchers found more than 2 billion people worldwide are now overweight or obese. Obesity has become one of the many health problems that has affected the way society is today. When deciding about what to eat, it is difficult for some individuals to resist fast food. Most people have a McDonald's within ten to twenty minutes away which makes it convenient for those who don’t want to cook when they get home. The number of people overweight keeps increasing. Exercising and eating healthy are two avenues to avoid the problem of obesity. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse with time. Although the number of individual’s being overweight may be a personal concern, it still reflects the big problem on society.

The reasons for obesity increasing over past time is unknown but now it is evident. When consuming unhealthy foods, our brains are powerless. While weight is, of course, partly a matter of personal responsibility, America’s obesity epidemic is mainly driven by upstream influences from industry, federal policies, and social norms. Our country is in the fix for the proposition of higher excise taxes on good nutritional refreshments. People should know what the differences are between fast food and sugary drinks because it's all labeled.

Exercise plays a major role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exercise and physical activity are important factors in determining the trends in obesity. The lack of exercise increases the risk of obesity. The effects of a sedentary lifestyle encourages weight gain and ultimately obesity. Being moderately active for at least thirty minutes a day can help lower the possibility of weight gain. To maintain a healthy weight, or to lose weight, it will require at least one hour a day of physical activity for most people. You must burn more calories than you consume. People that are overweight should strive for a goal to meet. Being consistent with physical activity has to take place in order to maintain a certain weight. The lack of exercise can increase the risk of developing other health problems.

A change in diet is also needed to see any reduction in obesity. For those who can't afford much, eating healthy is simply not feasible on their finances. Eating a healthy, balanced diet proves to be much more expensive than eating junk food. According to a Harvard University School of Public Health study, “the daily cost of consuming the healthiest of diets, is approximately $1.50 more per person per day compared to the least healthy of diets.” Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's offer a dollar menu which is enticing to those on a budget. People don’t realize the calorie intake they are consuming when eating fast foods. Most fast food contains higher amounts of sugar, fats and carbohydrates. That means that you are eating a greater amount of unhealthy calories leading to weight gain. Couple that with larger portions called “supersizing” and it’s a recipe for obesity.

When most people come home, they don’t feel like cooking. Preparing healthy meals takes time that most Americans don’t have. The caloric intake far outweighs the convenience of fast food. It’s the “convenience” of fast food that is making people gain weight. The allure of fast food clouds society's choices of healthy eating. It is unlikely that fast food restaurants will ever serve healthier meals, so we must start viewing cooking at home a pleasure rather than a strain. A trip to the grocery store should not be viewed as a burden to our checkbooks, so our leaders must make an effort to make healthy food choices more economically affordable.

The world's population together is becoming more and more excessively overweight. Individuals are watching this happen to those around them but are not taking a turn on it happening to themselves. The main section of those that are overweight are adults but now it's getting passed on to children. This is a problem that can be resolved but it has chosen not to, and it keeps spreading to the point where it is ruining people's lives.

The Food and Drug Administration is to help regulate and watch over public health. This administration helps reinforce upon acts and laws. In the past the Food and Drug Administration restricted trans fats, required calorie counts on menus and other helpful ways to help reduce people from gaining weight. When it comes to children's health, some schools have enhanced upon their school nutrition. “The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program provide nutritionally balanced meals to children as part of their regular school day.” Schools are promoting physical activity just as much as eating healthy. Everyone including children have the option to healthy eating. It takes a family as a whole to be involved and work together to start on healthy eating habits and to be committed to physical activity.

The issue on obesity is seen almost everywhere. Although it is discussed differently amongst people, it still is a social problem that people need to take care of. Your weight is the result of many factors. Food and drinks are everywhere you go. Temptation is always going to be hard. There will always be that voice in your head telling you to get that ice cream or big mac, but you are the one that must tell yourself no. This concern over obesity just doesn't take place during the night, it happens over a period of time. When that time comes you will know.

Keeping your body healthy takes time and effort. Those who don’t follow a healthy diet, aren’t physically active, or don’t prepare healthy meals will experience an unhealthy lifestyle. There is no “magic pill” or shortcut to becoming healthy. Our bodies require us to make wise decisions. Those decisions include a healthy diet and a certain amount of exercise. Without those, we simply become another statistic in the obesity epidemic.