Obesity is Harming Our Lives

 

Obesity is Harming Our Lives

            Obesity is increasing drastically in the United States and action needs to be taken promptly.
The United States is in a health crisis, the addiction and overconsumption of processed foods and sugar is having detrimental consequences on the wellbeing of millions of individuals. Obesity is a leading factor contributing to the increasing diabetes epidemic and a myriad of other detrimental health issues such as heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. This has caused a major strain on the medical system and only continues to get worst. The problem is visible in lower income areas where fresh food choices are more scares. These areas have coined the name “food deserts”, where only fast food or food low nutritional value are available. This heightens the risk of obesity as these foods are high in calories and low in satiation. Corporations are profit driven and need to produce food that are better for consumption, this needs to be done through the public people’s intervention.  Changes need to be made to individuals lifestyle choices as well as corporations and governments role in food production and regulation. Although there have been examples and arguments explaining how some excess weight can be helpful and healthy, however, being obese can increase the chances of developing serious health diseases that can potentially threaten your life. Obesity is ruining lives, and the disease needs to be eliminated for the better of American lives.

            Obesity rates only continue to increase, nearly 70% of adults in the US are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is creating thousands of U.S. citizens lives to be in danger and rates are continuously increasing as the years pass by. In 1960 the nationwide obesity percentage was at 14%, after 58 years the nationwide percentage is now at 42%. In the article “USA Obesity Rates have tripled over the last 60 years” by USA Teams it states “In the early 1960s, roughly 13% of people were considered obese by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Recent figures suggest that a current national obesity rate closer to 43%. In addition, nearly 10% of all Americans were morbidly obese during the 2017–2018 survey, compared to less than 1% in 1960–1962. Childhood obesity rates tripled from 5% in the early 1970s to more than 19% by March 2020.” This piece of evidence denotes to readers a tripled percentage rate nationwide for obesity. This disease isn’t just solitary taking a toll on adults, even children are being impacted by obesity which is just damaging not only our society but their own personal health. Being obese is starting to be a common disease where Americans aren’t taking action for and if we continue to dismiss being overweight the numbers are projected to reach a 51% nationwide. (Koliaki, Chrysi, 2023)

Obesity rates vary across different states and tend to be more common amongst lower income Americans. In the demographics of the USA FACTS article, it shows us a clear view of how people making between $100,000 to $199,999 have a lower obesity rate of 37.5%. Those making less than $15,000 a year have a obesity rate of 46.4%. There is 9% differential rate between lower income and higher income Americans. In “USA Obesity Rates have tripled over the last 60 years” by USA Teams it states, “Across all income brackets, those making between $15,000 and $24,999 had the highest surveyed obesity rates in 21 states and Washington DC, followed by those making between $25,000 and $34,999 in 11 states.” The evidence accentuates how in the income brackets 21 states including Washington DC have a higher chance of being obese due to lack of money. As a community, the public can work together to allow more cheaper, less processed food to be more reachable to those that make less of an income. One way can be for the local food market business to lower their prices to sell more items throughout the business hours.

           

Eating a healthy diet lowers the chances of weight gaining. Maintaining a healthy eating plan limits saturated fats, sodium, added sugars, and trans-fat. This minimizes the amount of intake of processed foods which is linked to causing obesity. Processed foods are any food that are changed from it’s natural state. This includes foods that are washed, cut, pasteurized, dehydrated, packaged etc. (Benisek, Alexandra 2024) Ultra-processed foods and drinks are what are increasing rates of obesity and creating weight gain for Americans. Ultra-processed foods are a result of an intense process of manufacturing. This group of foods have more dyes, added flavors, colors, and many other ingredients that change the naturalism of the food including it’s texture and appearance. (Benisek, Alexandra 2024) Many processed foods have a lengthen shelf life and in most cases taste way better than organic foods. In the article “What are processed foods?” by Alexandra Benisek it states “Some processed options don’t give your body what it needs. Foods that are highly processed are stripped of their basic nutrients. This is why many processed foods have added fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But once you take out the natural nutrients from a food, it’s difficult to add back all of its healthful value.” This demonstrates how many foods are being token from it’s original state and starting to be stripped of nutrients and now being unhealthy causing Americans to intake more fat therefore causing them to gain more weight.

 

 

All us Individuals eat several times a day, but what happens when there’s nothing at home to eat and we are feeling lazy to cook? I bet the illuminated sign Infront of your favorite burger restaurant calls your name and catches your eye. Going through the drive-thru might seem like an effortless and easy option, but people don’t even give a second thought to how much fast-food restaurants lack nutrients. Five of the unhealthiest fast-food options are Pizza, Burger and fries, cold-cut combos, Hot dogs, and fried chicken. (Fast food effect on body, 2021) Fast foods tend to be cheaper due to corporations wanting to make more money and profit to continue to grow. Many of these corporations have their food be prepared quickly, which is usually done by a grill, a fryer, a microwave etc. These fast-food restaurants follow very specific preparation methods to ensure that you will love what you receive and continue coming back. According to the article “Here’s how fast food can affect your body” it states “If you go to the drive-thru and grab a value meal for dinner, chances are you’ll end up eating a bigger portion (and higher-calorie foods) than you would if you were cooking at home. If that becomes a regular thing, all those extra calories can add up to extra pounds. And when those calories are mostly from highly process carbohydrates, you might end up feeling hungry again within a few hours, which can lead to — you guessed it — even more extra calories.” This shows how even a small meal can cause many extra calories and if getting fast food is a daily thing for an individual that increases their weight gain significantly. Fast foods are made to be addicting. Individuals get junk food often due to how much sugar, salt and fat it has which makes food extremely palatable. All these ingredients stimulate the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. The more addicting these corporations make their products the more income they bring to themselves. Corporations don’t care about an individual’s well-being or health they just want to figure out different methods to get you to be intrigued to their foods.

            Obesity has affected over 40 percent of the US population. Individuals who live with obesity have a higher chance of developing medical issues. (Cafasso, Jacquelyn 2022) Being overweight affects multiple parts of the body, obesity can lead to high blood pressure which can cause a stroke. Being overweight also increases cholesterol and blood sugar which leads to an increased risk of heart attack. Obesity has been highly associated with type 2 diabetes due to your body being resistant to insulin leading to high blood sugar. In the article “The Struggles Of Being Obese: How Everyday Activities Become A Challenge” by DR Luis Pasten it states that “Studies have found that people with obesity are at an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. People with obesity are also more likely to experience low self-esteem and body image issues.” Having extra weight doesn’t; just affect physical appearance it also affects your mental well-being, being overweight can cause depression since majority of individuals wouldn’t feel comfortable having a bigger body. Seeing other individuals with a fit body would make humans with a larger body insecure and cause them to overthink their health. This would cause a constant agony to their mental health and flood them with negative thoughts about themselves. In the article “How Excess Weight Impacts Our Mental and Emotional Health” by Dorothea Vafiadis it states “Men and women who carry significant extra weight often face problems related to physical and occupational functioning, both due to their size and chronic ailments. Being physically unable to do the things they love—such as attend fun events, travel, or visit with friends and family—can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and more difficulty coping with life’s hardships. Chronic pain on its own has been linked to depression.” This evidence demonstrates how individuals who are overweight don’t just struggle with their physical appearance they also struggle to engage in many activities due to their body being overweight. The lack of mobility causes difficulty in obese individuals to manage daily tasks such as cleaning the house, going up the stairs, bathing, sleeping, dressing, grocery shopping etc.

Multiple studies, however, indicate that it may occasionally be advantageous to carry a little extra weight in later life. In a fall, fat can serve as a cushion, reducing the risk of fractures. Those who suffer from severe illnesses like cancer or advanced renal disease may find that the padding gives them energy, allowing them to endure rigorous treatment. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the primary causes of kidney disease; however, it can affect anybody. You may be more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure if you are obese or overweight. Obesity by itself can cause kidney impairment, even in those without diabetes. It can also increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and several cancers. It can also have a major negative impact on a person's emotional health, self-esteem, and quality of life. Levels of obesity are increasing. By 2050, half of the UK's population is expected to be obese.

The lives of thousands of Americans are being affected by obesity, but there is hope. As long as the people of the U.S. do their part in adapting to healthier eating habits, the dangerous rates of obesity will decrease as citizens become less overweight throughout time. In conclusion, eating healthier, avoiding processed foods will both not only create your life better, but as well as improve the status of the entire American Country.