Rates of obesity in US children and adults have been rising steadily in the past 40 years. Studies have shown a link between childhood obesity with being an overweight or obese adult. Nearly 65% of American men and women over the age of 25 are overweight (Eagle). Adult obesity is proven to be consistent with a myriad of chronic conditions like type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, as well as strokes, heart attacks, and premature death (Story.) We are fat and sick and plagued with preventable diseases. Grasping this idea of obesity, how it comes about and how to prevent it, is crucial to stopping this nationwide epidemic.
Studies have shown that obesity can be caused by genetic and environmental factors (Story). One theory is that …show more content…
A sedentary lifestyle is a serious problem. Physical inactivity has increased significantly in past decades. Cost of medical care has been on the rise for many years and it will continue to increase as incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) are increasing. Life expectancy has been decreasing, and according to Dr. Colin Campbell, this generation of Americans will be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. But, only about 15% of the 1.6 million newly diagnosed NCD’s each year are caused by a sedentary lifestyle (Knight). A sedentary lifestyle is only a small part of America’s obesity problem, in the end it all comes back to nutrition: calories in versus calories …show more content…
Our nation 's food priorities are simply not where they should be. The USDA says it is acceptable for nearly 1000 calories of a 2775 calorie diet to come from added sugars and refined oils. In comparison, fruits, vegetables, and milk products only add up to around 450 calories.Only around 12% of the average American’s diet is comprised with plant-based foods. Processed food accounts for 63% of The Standard American Diet (SAD) (Axe.) A shift in dietary habits could result in great improvements in the overall health of our nation. In particular, upping consumptions of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as well as cutting out the highly-refined, nutritionless white flour, added sugars, excess sodium, and trans fats would decrease rates of NCD’s(Eagle.)
Over the past century, taste buds have evolved to become accustomed to super-sweet processed foods.In 2000 the USDA reported that each individual in the U.S. consumed over 150 pounds of sugar. That same year, Americans ate over 74 pounds of calorie-rich fats and oils. This number is estimated to be even higher in 2016. In the past, high cholesterol has been linked with excess dietary fat consumption, but new studies have shown that elevated triglycerides are not directly from fat. This “bad” cholesterol is actually produced in the liver from consumption of excess sugar
Studies have shown that obesity can be caused by genetic and environmental factors (Story). One theory is that …show more content…
A sedentary lifestyle is a serious problem. Physical inactivity has increased significantly in past decades. Cost of medical care has been on the rise for many years and it will continue to increase as incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) are increasing. Life expectancy has been decreasing, and according to Dr. Colin Campbell, this generation of Americans will be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. But, only about 15% of the 1.6 million newly diagnosed NCD’s each year are caused by a sedentary lifestyle (Knight). A sedentary lifestyle is only a small part of America’s obesity problem, in the end it all comes back to nutrition: calories in versus calories …show more content…
Our nation 's food priorities are simply not where they should be. The USDA says it is acceptable for nearly 1000 calories of a 2775 calorie diet to come from added sugars and refined oils. In comparison, fruits, vegetables, and milk products only add up to around 450 calories.Only around 12% of the average American’s diet is comprised with plant-based foods. Processed food accounts for 63% of The Standard American Diet (SAD) (Axe.) A shift in dietary habits could result in great improvements in the overall health of our nation. In particular, upping consumptions of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as well as cutting out the highly-refined, nutritionless white flour, added sugars, excess sodium, and trans fats would decrease rates of NCD’s(Eagle.)
Over the past century, taste buds have evolved to become accustomed to super-sweet processed foods.In 2000 the USDA reported that each individual in the U.S. consumed over 150 pounds of sugar. That same year, Americans ate over 74 pounds of calorie-rich fats and oils. This number is estimated to be even higher in 2016. In the past, high cholesterol has been linked with excess dietary fat consumption, but new studies have shown that elevated triglycerides are not directly from fat. This “bad” cholesterol is actually produced in the liver from consumption of excess sugar