...America and Obesity Advanced Composition Devry University Justina Brown America and Obesity In the back of your mind, you might be thinking…how did your body change so quickly? It was like almost overnight. It starts with just being a little overweight to having to buy some more jeans. Facts announced by Dr. Neil Hutcher (2011) “Obesity is a disease that affects 34 percent of adults age 20 and over in the United States, which amounts to more than 72 million people. About 32.2 percent of American men and about 35.5 percent of American women are obese.” Gaining weight drastically is a good sign of obesity. For a person to be considered obese his or her body mass index has to be over 30 or weight is 20 percent or more above normal weight. Researched by the Control Disease Center (2010) mentioned that one-third of U.S adults are obese as of 2010 and rates remain high; “Obesity is common, serious, and costly. In 2009, about 2.4 million more adults were obese than in 2007. This epidemic has affected every part of the United States. In every state, more than 15% of adults are obese, and in nine states, over 30% of adults are obese.” There are many dangers to being obese because it may influence your risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, age-related macular degeneration and breast cancer, and other types of cancer such as; prostate and colon cancer. Obesity is very common amongst Americans and has been for some...
Words: 1755 - Pages: 8
...Aakash Shah 10/15/12 Effects of Obesity While I am not obese, and I do not ever plan on it, I have a personal connection to obesity and the nature of the epidemic. I am an EMT for the Middlesex Area and I see many different things while on the job. Something that really hit home to me was how obesity was so widespread yet no one cared to turn his or her cheeks toward the issue. I have personally seen many different cases of obese people that struggle with the simplest tasks, including going to the bathroom, driving, walking their dogs. Essentially this epidemic lets people eat themselves into oblivion and depression leads to overeating and pleasure eating. My personal connection to this subject drives me to exemplify to society that this is a pressing issue and everything should be done to cap it and stop its progression. The United States of America today follows many different trends and patterns within its society. Societal trends have been evident through the history of the nation. A pattern that has revolutionized society today is the health craze. The sport of being fit is a priority and people are getting in shape better than ever. Commercials from athletic conglomerate corporations such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas are marketing being fit with new gear, sneakers, and apparel to attract people to such products. But, there is an issue at large. A rising issue in the United States is obesity, which is cited to be a major health issue in recent decades but had grown to...
Words: 1642 - Pages: 7
...Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Business Research Methods 642 Donna Wall September 10, 2012 Abstract Within the scope of this research paper I will present the contributions that fast food restaurants have on obesity. The paper will identify some of the causal effect that were discovered through surveys and research of recent studies that were related to obesity. A definition of obesity will be present as well. Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Obesity has become an epidemic in America. Fast food restaurants are everywhere you look. We hear fast food restaurants advertisements on the radio, on billboards along the highways, in magazines and commercials on our televisions. Every child that is of age to talk can easily identify the arch and relate that to McDonald’s. Americans all over America have become consumed by these advertisements and have become over weight due to their food selection at such restaurants. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in America. For that reason alone obesity has become a topic that has been recently researched and discussed more and more over the last few decades. Researchers have thrived to develop a cause to such an increase in Americans that struggle with the problem of obesity. Are there variations between Americans who most often have home cooked meals than those who eat at fast food restaurants more that are often affected with obesity? Are there other contributions to food selection...
Words: 1480 - Pages: 6
...Obesity is an extremely dangerous factor that is continuing to grow within America. Obesity has been proven to lead victims to higher chances of cancer and heart disease, which happen to be two of the leading factors of death in America. Due to these negative effects, many agencies, organizations, and other outspoken activists continue to try and battle this epidemic within America. Although many of their campaigns and ideas are effective, obesity rates are still drastically rising in America. Contrary to most campaigns and movements, instead of trying to present a positive approach to this problem, like Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, or just solely presenting pieces of evidence and statistics against the food industry, like Fast Food Nation, a documentary titled “Fed Up” tries to focus on showing the negative effects that this disease leaves on it’s victim and his or her family. While the other types of campaigns and movements were effective to some extent, “Fed Up” does a better job with making the viewer re-evaluate his or her food choices and become an advocate against obesity....
Words: 537 - Pages: 3
...Obesity in America June 6, 2014 ENG/215 Paul Korzeniowski Obesity of the main causes of malnutrition in children and adults in America is mainly because caused of cheap foods that are low nutrition unhealthy and that are usually full of calories and fat. Obesity is eventually what will be the outcome. Poverty is the main factor of obesity. Factually speaking, Obesity and poverty without a doubt are interconnected. If Americans can actively become involved in their health and diet obesity could be eliminated. According to a recent poll, it has been stated American adults and American children are either obese or overweight adults raking in two-thirds while children are more than one-tenth on this spectrum. Hunger and obesity are about what one-tenth of American families suffer from, this happens when there is no access to safe foods that are nutritionally satisfactory. Statistics states children from low income families are half way as their affluent counterparts to become obese. When it comes to obesity low income families are in very unfavorable conditions when it comes to obesity. Unfortunately, the average American family does not have the financial capabilities to prepare healthy meals, find suitable housing, or access to appropriate medical care, and other everyday necessities. Low income family tend to buy less expense food which is not the healthiest choice vs. spending money on more healthy food because they just can't afford it. In doing so, families choose...
Words: 2155 - Pages: 9
...Dr. Pattillo Craft of Language 11/04/12 Childhood Obesity in America: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention just over 1/3 or 35% of adult Americans are obese (Data and Statistics). Approximately 17% of all children from the age 2 to 19 are obese. The number of children that are obese has tripled since the 1980s (Data and Statistics). America has become one of the most obese nations in the world. Many obesity related health conditions that once thought applicable only to adults are now being seen in children (Daniels). Obese children have developed conditions of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic liver disease (Daniels). Obesity is mainly caused by low nutrition diets, and the lack physical activity. These are the two main problems that lead to obesity, but they are not at the root of childhood obesity. Low nutrition diets and low physical activity are only the results of a bigger problem. In America the major causes for childhood obesity are the fast food industry, Parental teachings, and the lack of sports and activities. There are ways to prevent childhood obesity, but it will have to start with the parents and government reforms. This world is completely different than it was thirty years ago. America’s culture has been turned into a more upbeat society that has put many families into dangerous situations. Unlike thirty to forty years ago, majority of households in America require both parents to work. Studies done by the NCPA...
Words: 1551 - Pages: 7
...causes obesity in America? Jason absolutely loved to eat food, and frequently, his meals consisted of twice the recommended serving size. He was overweight as a child, with his weight rapidly increasing as he aged. By the age of twenty-two, he had reached the point of obesity, which hindered most of his physical abilities and ruined his social life. He woke up for work every day, struggling to stand up from his bed. Exhausted and breathless, he garnered the strength to stand up and make his way to the bathroom. Getting dressed had become a time consuming mission, rather than a quick task. He often found it difficult to bend down to put on his socks and shoes, almost losing his balance at his every attempt. Jason realized he was miserable and alone, with food as his only friend. Eventually, heart disease would be a definite result of his decisions. The lifestyle he chose was a poor one, which would ultimately send him to an early grave. Over the past three decades, obesity in America has almost doubled, making it one of the leading causes of health problems preceding death. Obesity can be defined as a health problem where excessive amounts of fat accumulate on the body. When these fatty deposits build up in arteries, it puts strain on the heart. Chest pains are more prevalent and heart attacks then become a high possibility. Commonly, the self esteem lowers because of their belief that they do not meet society’s idea of beauty. These are just a few of the many possible effects associated...
Words: 878 - Pages: 4
...(2012.) Advantages and disadvantages of Fast Food. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-fast-food.html There are 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants just in America alone, along with 8,000 KFC’s in 80 countries. The biggest disadvantage is the tremendous effect on one’s health. In this article Debopriya talks about how in the fast food industries use a lot of sugars, salts, oil, fried meat, cheese, mayonnaise, and clearly they use calories. It may contain harmful bacteria that can make someone really sick. Most Americans consume more calories than that use and that contributes to complications such as cardiovascular disease and other heart diseases. When you fry food it destroys most of the essential nutrients from the food. She also talks about how it can split families apart; she states that since the fast food industry started becoming popular many individuals started going to eat there instead of the traditional family dinner. It can also be very expensive, although it is cheap if you go by yourself it isn’t the same as if you buy it in bulk; It can be a quite an expensive affair. She mentions that people who live within walking distance from a fast food joint are 13% higher risk of suffering from stroke than those who live a considerable distance away. Obesity is a huge problem in America; a bond is formed between fast food and obesity in children. Many problems that you can receive from obesity is high blood pressure and disease of the...
Words: 862 - Pages: 4
...everyone in America has experienced the sensational film “Super Size Me”, in which a young, healthy vegan man by the name of Morgan Spurlock experiments with his own body in order to see the disastrous effects of fast food on the human form. After a month of eating nothing but McDonald's, Morgan suffered from a 13% gain in body mass, cholesterol levels of 230, rapid mood changes and embarrassing sexual inadequacy. He was unable to complete the program after being told by a medical professional that “he was going to die” if he continued on the current diet. Thankfully, Morgan was able to quit and return his body slowly back to the healthy shape it once was in, but this happy ending isn't always the case for millions of Americans. Left untreated, obesity will surpass smoking as the main cause of preventable death. Between the ruthless marketing, placement of restaurants in low income neighborhoods and near schools, massive portion sizes riddled with fat and carbohydrates and more than 46 million people eating out at only McDonald's daily, fast food has easily gone from a “once in a while treat” to one of the most menacing killers in the country. Portion size and ingredients play a grand factor in the fattening affects of fast food. According to research gathered by Washington State University, Fast foods contain substantially fewer vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and zinc. (“Does Fast Food...,” 2011)...
Words: 2347 - Pages: 10
...The Effects of Fast Food Gaining weight, high cholesterol, increased heart risks, headaches and depression are only a couple of the many effects of eating McDonalds for a month. This is exactly what Morgan Spurlock went through in his documentary, “SuperSize Me”, when he challenged himself to eat nothing but McDonalds for breakfast lunch and dinner while also supersizing his meal whenever asked. The harm done to his body in just one month was shocking. How fatigued he always felt, the vomiting and especially the drastic weight gain were obvious. This just goes to show that fast food is something that Americans do not know enough about when consuming it. Fast food restaurants have become nothing but a negative influence on our lives socially and physically. It has become too available and convenient to a point where Americans would rather eat out and eat for cheap at a fast food chain near them. It is impossible to go somewhere without seeing a fast food place often, that is why people eat it so much. There are currently over 200,000 fast food restaurants in America alone, have we let this go too far? I believe that fast food is the reason for America’s obesity issue because of its availability, cheap prices, and quick service which make people choose the easy way out rather than cook a healthy meal. Some people may argue that, fast food places offer healthier choices like salads and water and people make their own choice to supersize their meal. They say that fast food is not...
Words: 2291 - Pages: 10
...Dani Park Kines 1 M 2:00pm – 4:50pm Critical Thinking Paper Obesity In America Obesity is one of the most commonly discussed issues in America today. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 68.8 percent of adults are overweight and 35.7 percent are obese. Also, 31.8 percent of American children and adolescents are overweight and 16.9 percent are obese. Moreover, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn if Americans do not change their diet and living habits, 42 percent of Americans will be obese by the year 2030. The two main causes of obesity in America are due to diet and lifestyle. For example, fast food contains extremely high levels of fat, calories and carbohydrates that one's body doesn't need, and the lack of exercise only serves to compliment these reasons for becoming obese. However, the side effects of obesity go beyond just being overweight or having an increased risk for developing serious health conditions. Obesity in America is a crucial issue that has many causes and effects. The most significant reason that is primarily responsible for obesity is an unhealthy diet, because it fails to provide the correct amounts and types of nutrients for a healthy body's maintenance. Instead, it provides unhealthy fats and toxins that only serve to slow the body down. For example, fast food contains calories that may exceed the daily needs in just one meal, along with sodium, cholesterol, trans fats, sugars and other unhealthful...
Words: 1084 - Pages: 5
...Causes and effect of childhood obesity Introduction: Nowadays the majority of children all around the world suffer from being overweight or obesity. In the United States of America in particular, there exists the highest proportion of childhood obesity in the world. These figures are continuing to grow in this country as well as in other developed and developing countries. In addition, almost 25% of children suffer from being clinically overweight while a staggering 11% of children are clinically obese in the States according to the latest statistics (Dehghan et al, 2005). Obesity in childhood is defined as an excess of fat in the child's body. Body mass index (BMI) can also be used to define obesity in childhood and adults. This sort of measurement can classify obesity into different categories, for example, normal weight, underweight, overweight, obesity, obesity class 1, obesity class 2 and obesity class 3 (Onyike et al, 2003). The major problem of childhood obesity is that is has become one of the most serious nutritional issues in the world.. The obesity epidemic has been spreading since 1971 in both developed and developing countries, especially in the United States of America (Dehghan et al, 2005). In recent years, the obesity epidemic has grown rapidly in these counties. There are several influences which are responsible for the increase in the rate of childhood obesity in the States. For instance, consumption of fast food which contains a large amount of calories...
Words: 632 - Pages: 3
...In America, 38% of all adults are considered obese. This is a significant amount of the total population. Among the many health problems Americans deal with, obesity is one of the most prominent. Therefore, there needs to be an increase in efforts to prevent this growing problem of obesity. Some of the main areas where improvement is needed include low-income families, health care plans, portion sizes, and overall eating habits of Americans. Food stamps are very commonly used in the United States. In fact, one out of every eight people in America use food stamps. This wide-spread use of food stamps is a main factor in the increase in obesity in the US. When families using food stamps go to the grocery store, they buy food that they can store for later because one shopping trip needs to last them the whole month. The families cannot buy fresh food such as fruits and vegetables because of this. They end up buying junk food and other unhealthy options. Also, if the family’s food supply gets low, parents end up starving themselves to provide a sufficient amount of food for their children. They then end up going shopping for groceries on an empty stomach. This prevents them from thinking rationally, and the parents end up buying food that will not be beneficial to the family (Vanderkam). There are many...
Words: 1732 - Pages: 7
...In “How Junk Food Can End Obesity,” by David H. Freedman, Freedman discusses how fast food restaurants and junk food companies can end obesity in America. Fast food chains provide cheap, quick, and tasty meal and are lined on just about every major street in America. Because of this it has become the most popular food choice for most people. A side effect of this convenience is the growing obesity rate in America. Obesity has been a concern for our society so much so that, that even fast food chains have made small incremental changes to helps its consumers without them even knowing. Despite the common notion of eating fast food can make you obese, Freedman provides the evidence to support the fact that fast food chains can continue doing what they are doing to help end obesity in America. Freedman first discusses how he paid approximately eight dollars and waited ten minutes until he received a subpar fruit and vegetable smoothie. He then went...
Words: 937 - Pages: 4
...Obesity is a problem in America today, and it needs to be fixed. It turns out about 50 percent of the American population is considered obese, and its still heading that direction. What might be a perfect explanation as eating too much food and too little exercise might be one of the many reasons, but it turns out obesity is led by many other habits such as; chronic stress, sleep deprivation, laziness, or reason like not having a local grocery store close by can cause high risk of becoming overweight and even obese. There an obesity epidemic in American that can be stopped by affordable life changes that can save a lifetime, by changing diet habits, increasing physical activity having a faster access to fresh food with fewer visits to fast...
Words: 1715 - Pages: 7
