Obesity is an ever-growing epidemic in the United States. Weights have been rising in the United States throughout the twentieth century, but the rise in obesity since 1980 is fundamentally different from past changes. (Cutler, Glaeser and Shapiro) Though it is not entirely clear what is to blame many scientists and researchers have a theory. The rise of obesity in the U.S. can be contributed to high priced fruits and vegetables, low costing processed foods, widespread increase in poverty, and a sedentary lifestyle.
The cost to eat healthy is the first main contributor in obesity. The index for fresh fruits fell 1.7 percent, and the fresh vegetables index declined 3.2 percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Though the research of the Bureau of Labor Statics consumers are not willing to spend money on
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Processed foods are those that manufactured at a high rate using artificial substances and ingredients. The average meal at a local hamburger establishment cost approximately $3 plus tax, considering a plain cheeseburger cost $1, add a large drink and fries for just $2 more at any local McDonald’s. Consumers are more like to purchase a $3 meal or $1.49 chicken nuggets then buy a $5-$7 salad from the local deli. Research by Harvard School of Public Health said, “On average, a day's worth of the healthiest diet patterns cost about $1.50 more per day than the least healthy ones.” (“Harvard School of Public Health”6) In addition to restaurants having low prices, consumers may look to get their high doses of glucose and fat from shelves in convenient stores. For example, a bag of chips cost $1, but yet a healthier snack such as a cup of yogurt ranges from $1.19-$1.99. The price difference is not much but after an extended period of time consumers will have to start considering their budget. Processed foods may be inexpensive but in the long run detrimental to consumers’
A women in the film called Ree is one of the Americans that are in food dessert, she has to travel 66 miles to another city to get fresh fruits and vegetables, which is wasting money for gas. As well as for Barbie, she has to ride two buses that is more than an hour trip for a fully-shocked supermarket. Another part in the film that caught my attention was about, the cost of healthy eating has gone up since the 1980’s for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well with obesity. And the cost of processed foods has gone down with the price over the years since 1980. I had a conversation with my mother about this because we both realize how expensive the fruits and vegetables are, when we was at the supermarket, which we never really thought about it until now.
In the article, How Junk Food Can End Obesity, author David H. Freedman advocates that the fast food industries can actually make great contributions to reverse the direction of obesity. Compared to the impractical likelihood of organic food becoming a core diet in everyone’s lives, it’s far easier to make healthier changes to something that’s already convenient and affordable as a solution to end obesity. He explains how the pressure coming from the criticism fast food industries receive for being unhealthy actually prompts them to make healthier changes in their menu. Processed food chains are applying methods in a cunning way to produce less calorie-filled versions of their products while maintaining the same satisfying taste their customer
Who or what is to blame for the increase of obesity? Thinking Sociologically about Sources of Obesity in the United States by Robert L. Peralta examines obesity as a "disease" (Peralta 200). Peralta provides multiple possibilities to why United States citizens are becoming heavier. He argues that the government aid programs, availability, and cost of nutritious foods makes it difficult to eat healthy (200). Next, the article infers that obesity could be largely a social issue.
In David Freedman’s essay How Junk food Can End Obesity, Freedman makes the claim to policy arguing that instead of demonizing processed foods, Americans should instead support the idea and production of healthier processed and junk foods. He calls on the public to recognize that while many products on the market these days are labeled as “wholesome” and “healthy”, consumers should learn to become aware of the fat and calorie content in these products because many times they have the same- if not more- fat and calorie contents as that of a typical Big Mac or Whopper. In his essay, Freedman primarily places blame on the media and the wholesome food movement for the condemnation of the fast and processed food industries saying, “An enormous amount of media space has been dedicated to promoting the notion that all processed food, and only processed food, us making us sickly and overweight” (Freedman), he further expresses that this portrayal of the
So, a conclusion could be drawn that consumers will and do choose the unhealthy option a majority of the time. However, it does not address the disconnect, or why people are still consuming foods that are unhealthy for them even when given other options. One reason prominently stands out above the rest and that is the lack of education on the real effects the American diet, a highly addictive diet comprised of processed foods, high in sugar and fat, and void of fresh produce and other
The high obese population can be explained by culture, portion sizes, food companies and restaurant policies, diets, and traditions. Obesity is not only an individual issue; it is most importantly a national matter. It raises both individual and collective problems related to economic and demographic dynamics. Therefore, based on the alarming rate obesity is growing, it is crucial at this point to find a solution in order to slow down and hopefully stop this epidemic. Comparing diets of different countries and taking a look at the background story of American nutrition and regimes, it is clear that the American diet is very different from other nationalities and has worsened over the decades.
Therfore we notice a major difference and demostrats the type of supermarket and it eventually becomes more closely linked to obesity
The obesity epidemic is only becoming more world wide spread as years continue to pass. Obesity has dramatically caused many negative effects on America and the way we live today. Obesity is simply defined as having excessive body fat usually resulting in serious medical problems. More specifically, though, obesity occurs when a person's Body Mass Index (BMI) — or, their weight in kilometers divided by the square of height in meters — exceeds 30 or greater. Studies have shown that about 13 million children and adolescents ages 2-19 are obese according to the article “Childhood Obesity: Can it Really Be Child Neglect?” by Abbie Goldbas.
The grotesque amount of food purchases consumed by countless citizens explodes through the roof, with the nation as large as ever. Gone are the Renaissance days of plumpness being chic and desirable, since forth replaced by the yearning of health, fitness, and youth of the mind, body, and soul. However, these ideals hold little standings for the masses remain unhealthy. The supply and demand of ample quantities of foodstuffs veer people off the path of health and into the selfish world of delicious meals, snacks, and desserts. By placing restrictions on the magnitude of food consumed, overconsumption of food diminishes and obesity rates decline.
Research has it that nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or rather obese. As campaign to sensitize the masses against habits that might otherwise lead to rise in victims affected by obese conditions is being aired by medics, the media and the rational public, it is evident that there is elevated prevalence of obesity in the United States which has since doubled the initial number of the previous decades. It is a matter of urgency and it calls for stringent measures to curb this condition. Before totally embarking on the topic of what causes obesity and ways of dealing with it, it is pertinent to understand the meaning of being overweight. Medics have the capacity of classifying people based on their weights and different classifications
Obesity has become a major dilemma within America, mostly childhood obesity which has become in my eyes an epidemic. Childhood obesity will bring about adult obesity, health issues, psychological problems, and will even damper on sociological issues when pertaining to relating to culture and other people on a daily basis ( ex: brings about bullying or being bullied, social issues with kids, and low self-esteem and confidence). These include but never restricted to the fact of physical, social, environmental, psychological, and health issues all within a wider scale mostly if the pattern of obesity starts at an early age and then progress to adolescence and adulthood. The factors given in obesity has once again become a worldwide issue and concern for family, friends, and the child.
Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority.
Across the nation, medium fries are being exchanged for large fries, jeans are being returned for a pair the next size up, and doctor visits are becoming a weekly outing with the family. Between McDonalds, Taco Bell, Sonic, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, etc. consumers have a multifariousness of options when eating out, but do they know exactly what these fast foods do to their bodies? It seems that each year Americans consume more and more unhealthy food which in turn has made America one of the most obese countries in the world. In addition to the weight gain that results from the excess fatty food intake, consumers also increase their risk of developing certain diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and with all the special privileges given to its people, America has become very lazy. With portion sizes rising and physical activity decreasing, it is easy to see how the rates on obesity has risen over the years in America. Obesity is a major problem that needs to be resolved because it affects all people of every gender, age, and race are at risk of being obese. Obesity rates in America have nearly doubled rather tripled within the last twenty years due to the many privileges that the American people have before us. Something must be done to overcome decrease the
As a hole there should be more restaurants that promote healthy food choices. Obesity in the United States is out of proportion and something need to be don , not necessarily at the point of government intersection but this needs to be fix some way somehow. ”public health experts say that an unhealthy diet and the lack of exercise are still the two biggest culprits. ”-Felix gusson.