The Controversy Of Obesity In The United States

Improved Essays
The Controversy of Obesity Obesity is a major problem in America. The numbers of obese people in the United States have steadily increased since the 1970’s. Over a fourth of the population in America is obese, leading it to be the among the most obese countries in the world. Obesity can be solved. Obesity can come with depression, it is cheaper to eat the foods that cause it, and people know the risks of being obese; although, they do nothing to change it. First, it is obvious junk food is much cheaper than healthy food throughout the United States. For example, a salad at McDonald’s is almost a dollar more expensive than a Big Mac. An average trip to the grocery store can show anyone that a few fruit or vegetables is equal to the price of several huge bags of chips. This several extra dollars being spent are not always a huge deal to everyone; however, some people would rather save money than save their health. …show more content…
Saving health can also be done through exercise. Exercise does not only help with maintaining weight, but also mental health. People that have obesity are much more likely to suffer from depression. The benefits of exercise are endless, if more individuals are willing to break out of their comfort zone and start to exercise the obesity rate will steadily drop down. When exercise is brought to mind, everyone assumes running, weightlifting, or biking. Exercise can be as simple as going on long walks with the dog every evening, or choosing the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise does wonders for those that struggle with

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Obesity In America's War

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Obesity is a disease that plagues America’s old and young more than any other country in the world. Despite efforts to resolve this issue from the communities affected, and by local, state, and federal government this epidemic has yet to come to an end. The most common solutions offered to address the obesity epidemic are ones derived from an economic and dietary approach. Although seemingly worthy solution are commonly agreed upon, however pinpointing an incontestable culprit guilty for this monstrosity cannot be so easily done.…

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    America's Obesity Problem

    • 1712 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In this new age, who is really at fault of America's obesity problem? Many blame the fast food industries, but the full blame isn't just on the consumers. As self reliant people that have full control over ourselves, the blame is as equal as the industries. In the last few decades the public's food portions have been growing, companies making money off of it. Meanwhile the consumers health depleting because of it, without knowing the true harm.…

    • 1712 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Most people believe obesity in America is due to the diet of fast food joints, but I’m going to prove that genetics plays a key role in the obesity problem in America. Obesity is a problem in America. All of the fast food that American’s eat on a daily basis contributes to the obesity problem. The other contribution to the obesity problem is simply genetics and the effects of obesity. The fact of the matter is if you are overweight and your partner is overweight it is more than likely their off spring will be overweight and have the health problems that come with it.…

    • 1033 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    America’s Big Fat Shame Obesity rates in the United States have steadily increased in the past few years. According to a recent study by the Journal of American Medicine more than one-third of U.S adults are obese (Ogden et al.). The term label “obese” is determined by a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. Obesity is defined for adults as having a BMI greater than or equal to 30.…

    • 1608 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Obesity is considered to be a major health concern in our country. Obesity affects many citizens all across America, and leads to many deaths around the country. YAccording to Understanding Childhood Obesity, “Nearly 60 million American adults between the ages of 20 and 75 years are obese” (Smith 3). Many citizens argue that the number of obese people in our country has to decline. As a result, the government has stepped up and taken a stand to fight obesity.…

    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The main reason we have obesity is because of how lazy some people are. The amount of fast food restaurants also triggers the laziness, because if someone does not want to cook they can easily just go out and go through a drive through at a fast food. By doing this, they are also wasting/spending more money that they could have for the proper foods to be buying and eating at home for dinner. Most people get junk food because it is cheaper than buying healthy snacks, same with them going to a fast food place for dinner. Although, if you think about it, you are probably spending, if not more, on the junk food as you would be for your healthy food.…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    The United States of America is known around the world for a lot of incredible things. It has one of the best economies on the planet, boasting the highest Gross Domestic Product of any country. However, The U.S. is also known for having the highest obesity rate in the world of any industrialized country. Cytherian L. Odgen who works for the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that “In 2011-2012, the prevalence of obesity in the United States was 16.9% in youth and 34.9% in adults”. That means one in three adults, and a little more than one in six children, are struggling with obesity.…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Essay On Obesity Epidemic

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Obesity Epidemic Research has shown, over the past several decades, how obesity has turned into a growing health epidemic in modern society. Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, strokes, certain forms of cancers, as well as other leading causes of preventable death. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than one-third of Americans are obese, including about one in five school-aged children (CDC, 2016). Moreover, obesity has been found to be more prevalent among people from a lower socioeconomic status. Finally, the rise in obesity rates is burdening the national health care system and contributing to the billions of dollars Americans spend each year on medical costs.…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Exercise Adherence Essay

    • 2202 Words
    • 9 Pages

    However, the many benefits that come from exercise are backed by years of research. If one is to adhere to exercise, there are many positives that can be added to life. However, the choice not to engage in adequate exercise can be detrimental to health. Physically getting up and doing it is the first step, but attacking it from a psychological standpoint is the way move forward and keep progressing. It is an important concept that should be brought into the education system at young ages to magnify its importance.…

    • 2202 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The term “obesity” has become deeply rooted into America’s present-day image and lifestyle as food holds less nutritional value and our daily activities become less physically demanding. It’s relatively unclear as to why the rate of weight gain is increasing so rapidly the past few decades, but prevention is possible and many organizations are fighting to slow down this ongoing crisis and raise awareness. Obesity is a dangerous and rapidly increasing epidemic in America that is mainly attributed to the growing unhealthy lifestyle of the average American, which could be easily prevented if the population was better educated about healthy foods and exercise. Dieting and exercise are the two biggest factors in a person’s weight. Harvard Men’s…

    • 1429 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Obesity in America becomes a more relevant issue as time progresses and people develop terrible habits. Yvette C. Terrie, a writer from U.S. News Health states, “In the past two decades in the United States, there 's been an alarming increase in obesity rates among all age groups, even children. It 's estimated that more than one-third of adults and 17 percent of children and adolescents are obese.” These numbers are alarming because of the massive amounts of health problems that obesity causes such as diabetes, Coronary artery disease, and cancer (Terrie). Although it may not seem like it, some obese people have diseases or health complications that result in excessive overweight.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Evidently, exercise can work quickly to elevate depressed mood in many people. Although the effects may be temporary, they show that a walk or other simple activity can deliver several hours of relief. Science has also provided some evidence that physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary people. Exercise may improve mental health by helping the brain cope better with stress. In one study, researchers found that those who got regular vigorous exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder over the next five…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Aerobic Exercise Analysis

    • 1261 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Exercise in an everyday agenda can help a person live a healthier and longer life, contribute to weight loss, prevent certain diseases and health risks, and can also be used as a stress reliever. Changing the little things a person does through their daily routine that doesn 't benefit…

    • 1261 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Stress Management Theory

    • 1089 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Also the tasks that do not require our immediate attention can be put aside for when there is more time available (Potter & Perry, 2014 pp. 484). Asking family members to help out can free more of our time to participate in activates with our families. According to Baier and Hegadoren, a regular exercise program improves muscle tone and posture, controls weight, reduces tension, and promotes relaxation (Potter & Perry, 2014). Regular exercise also improves mood and people tend to feel better about themselves, which in turn improves their self-esteem.…

    • 1089 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Limiting Sedentary Habits

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. Limit sedentary habits, like watching television. What is physical activity? Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym.…

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays