Obesity Essay

Jaleel Nicholson         

Michele Ninacs

CWP 101        

19 April, 2016

Obesity

        We all know fast food is bad for you; however, Americans still choose to consume it. As a result, people are gaining weight and some are becoming obese. Obesity is one of the major problems our society faces today. However, fast food is not the only cause for obesity. A poor diet and a lack of exercise are contributing factors to becoming obese. As a result it is shown through research that the United States appears to be the “Fattest” nation on the planet.                        Scientist believe that weight gain can often lead to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Weight gain contributes to 300,000 deaths each year (Bettelheim, 1999). Americans who don’t have time or are not willing to put effort in exercising are turning to liposuction and weight loss pills which are extremely dangerous. In 2001 the nations surgeon general went so far to call obesity an epidemic. Since we have fast food restaurants like McDonalds people find it to be inexpensive and enjoyable. However, people fail to realize how much calories there is in a burger and a super-sized soda and how that could affect your body. An obese person by definition is someone who has a body mass index or BMI of 30 or more, this is calculated by multiplying ones weight in pounds by 703, and then dividing by the square of the height in inches. Today children are spending more time playing video games and on the computer rather than going outside and participating in outdoor activities (Greenblatt, 2003).

        Over the last forty years America has become more outraged to obesity. Scientist began to question whether obesity is a self-responsibility or is the society causing it. Honestly it’s both because a person is in-charge of his or her body and what they do to it, however fast food

restaurants are also the cause of obesity because they portray foods that appeal good to most people but it doesn’t do them any good at all. Most experts believe America's weight problem began to get out of hand in the late 1970s. Fast food restaurants began competing with each other by offering customers larger portions, and food chain developed a new generation of prepared foods that were delicious and, not unexpectedly, high in fat. Americans found the better variety and larger portions tempting even as their lifestyle was becoming more inactive with the introduction of computers, remote controls and other forms of technology.

        Although we have fast food restaurants increasing obesity in our society genetics can also be the cause of obesity. Obesity increases the risk for many diseases and disorders, including type 2 diabetes, gallstones, heart disease, and many other illnesses. Obesity is also associated with high blood cholesterol, complication s of pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, and stress incontinence. A person can be very cautious of what they eat but still can have health disorders such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol due to their genetics. Obesity apparently also increases the risk of development of different types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. (obesity, 2014)

        Saturday Night Live comedian Chris Farley died in December 1997 (Bettelheim, 1999) of a drug overdose after suffering health problems which was linked to his obesity. The Food drug administration is making new guidelines for dietary supplements and foods prepared with nutrients and minerals. Many of the products claim to fight high cholesterol and other obesity-related symptoms but aren't synchronized in the same way as drugs or food additives, such as artificial sweeteners. “Obesity is the “fastest-growing cause of illness and death in the United States,” says U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona. It is associated with at least 300,000 deaths a year and $117 billion in health-care expenses (Greenblatt, 2003).”