Dieting and exercise are the two biggest factors in a person’s weight. Harvard Men’s …show more content…
Unfortunately, Americans rely heavily on the convenience and appeal of fast food, prepackaged and microwavable food, and on-the-go snacks, which are all processed and laden with unnecessary and even harmful chemicals and ingredients. According to author, nurse, and associate professor at University of Missouri-Kansas Peggy Ward-Smith, the dietary barriers such as eating away from home more often (like at fast food restaurants) and healthier foods costing too much makes weight management and loss a challenge (“America’s Health Crisis” 243). Her article titled “Obesity –America’s Health Crisis”, provides general information about obesity and brings up the point of the basic need to exercise which helps to maintain and prevent weight gain. The research results from the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute support this statement by suggesting that a routine of 75-105 minutes of weekly exercise plus a minimum of two days dedicated to muscle-strengthening exercises is important to establish to maintain or lose weight (qtd. in “America’s Health Crisis” 244). In our modern-day lifestyle, it may be hard for a working or busy person to find the time to be …show more content…
Many hope that eventually the public will be more informed of the health risks associated with obesity and not exercising, and it’s not doubt that the emphasis on providing cheaper healthy foods and promoting getting adequate exercise should be made stronger. Being sedentary and skipping healthy foods are hard to avoid with our modern-day conveniences and fast-paced lives, but the people of America have the choice and the power to make a change and become aware. Being equipped with the right knowledge and tools can help Americans know to make the correct health choices when it comes to what they consume and how they spend their leisure time. Through the continuous efforts of organizations, researchers, nutritionists, and the citizens of our country, we can hopefully help save our nation from its infamous