In todays’ society, especially in America, obesity has become an epidemic of all sorts. In every state in the U.S., at least 20% of the population is obese. More and more people are dying due to heart related problems, and more people are becoming ok with being “big boned”. This is a huge problem for all of America and is becoming increasingly worse.
There are multiple health related risks that go along with obesity; including heart disease, heart attack, respiratory problems, and death being the ultimate outcome. Children are even being affected by this disease and most will carry this problem into adulthood. This is also a problem on the financial side of the spectrum. Kentucky alone spends over 2 billion dollars a year on obesity related issues.
Every individual has the opportunity to change their own health. We must all own up to our failure to stay healthy in this country. No one can force anyone to exercise or eat right. If we all take action, we’ll all be better off and end up happier and healthier society. We just have to get rid of the excuses and do what needs to be done.
According to the book “Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence”, childhood obesity is a strong indicator of adulthood obesity (pg.50). If this continues to be a problem that corrupts our countries youth, then they will continue to carry these issues with them through adulthood, which is something we are already seeing. The people of our society and the nation’s performance when it comes to competing with other countries in the growing competition in the economy will ultimately pay the consequences.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity can be defined as a weight that is more than what is considered a healthy weight. Obesity has come up as one of our nation’s deadliest killer along with tobacco and alcohol. Obesity rates have climbed with the increasing popularity of fast food. Companies have figured out a way
Cited: Kiess, W., Claude Marcus, and Martin Wabitsch. Obesity In Childhood And Adolescence. n.p.: Karger, 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 28 Nov. 2012. Diet, Nutrition, And The Prevention Of Chronic Diseases : Report Of A Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. n.p.: World Health Organization, 2003. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 29 Nov. 2012. " 'Feel-Good ' Food Might Be Addictive." Consumer Reports On Health 24.11 (2012): 10. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Braun, Maureen. Most American May Be Obese By 2030. Sept 18, 2012. Oct 28, 2012 . Peate, Ian. "Do as I say, not as I do." BJN 40: 33-42 .