How Does Unhealthy Eating Habits Affect Society

There is no denying the prevalence of obesity in American society. According to the Federal Drug Administration, 64% of the American population is overweight and of that percentage, 30% are obese (“FDA’s Obesity Group Report”). Many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and strokes result from the epidemic (Yun and Silk 276). A major factor causing these problems is Americans’ diets. Food choices are the core to a healthy lifestyle, and today’s society is filled with unhealthy eating habits. According to the FDA dietary guidelines, many Americans do not meet the recommended nutritional needs. About ¾ of Americans’ diets are low in vegetables, fruits, dairy, and oils. More than half of the population meet or exceed the regulated amount of protein and grain recommendations, but do not meet the regulations of the subgroups. Most Americans surpass the recommended intake of saturated fat, sugar, and sodium (“Shifts to Healthy Guidelines”). Along with diets, Americans are gaining …show more content…
Clever catchphrases and promotions lead people to crave unhealthy food and drink items, thus making a healthy diet difficult. There is sufficiently more marketing for unhealthy foods, snacks, and drinks, than there are for nutritious and wholesome foods, snacks, and drinks. The US Department of Agriculture spent $84 million on marketing and advertisements in 2016, $82 million in 2015, and $81 million in 2014 (USDA). The numbers spent on promoting healthy food items seem high, until compared to big name companies that manufacture unhealthy foods items and drinks. In 2015, Coke spent $228 million (“The Coco-Cola Company Form 10-K” 82) and McDonalds spent $808 million on marketing (“McDonalds Form 10-K” 31). It is evident that our society is saturated in marketing schemes and endorsements, and avoiding the temptation seems