Preview

Obesity in the United States

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3053 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Obesity in the United States
Obesity has been a serious health problem in the United States in the past ten years. More and more people suffer from obesity and the problem should not be ignored. We should tackle it wisely and effectively. In this paper, we are going to analyse the obesity situation in the United States and recommend solutions for those who are suffering from this sickness. Furthermore, the other purpose of this paper is to encourage people to do more excercise and have more healthy meals in order to maintain a better body health.

What is obesity? According to the definition of obesity in the United States of America Centers for disease control and prevention, obesity and overweight are described as : Both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems(United States of America Center of disease control and prevention, definition "Obesity"). Moreover, definitions of obesity of adults
Chan 2

and teens are different. As for adults, obesity ranges are determined by a number calculated with weught and height which is called the "Body mass index" (BMI) (United States of America Center fot disease control and prevention). BMI can show how fat or obese the person is. For example, if an adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered as overweight and has a BMI over 30 is considered as obese. As a healthy adult, their BMI will be between 18.5 and 24.9. As for teens and children, the method of measuring BMI is different. The BMI of a child need to be compared with other children at that age-range so that they can account the differencees in body fat.

The number of obese adults in the United States has been increasing in the recent



Cited: Currie, Janet; DellaVigna, Stefano; Moretti, Enrico; Pathania, Vikram. 2009. The Effect of Fast Food Restaurants on Obesity and Weight Gain, NBER Working Paper Series. National Bureau of Economic Research. "Data and statistics, Obesity rates among all children in the United States". " United States of America Center of disease control and prevention" "Defining Overweight and Obesity", " United States of America Center of disease control and prevention, definition "Obesity" "Definition of Arthritis", "PubMed Health"

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 2002 Words
    • 9 Pages

    There are many healthy choices that an individual can choose from when it comes to eating out. But, most individuals cannot get away from fast food for many reasons. Fast food is inexpensive food, “poor nutrition and lack of education about the lack of nutrition in these sorts of food” (Small). Fast food chains are convenient which is why so many people make fast food their go-to but it is unhealthy and cannot benefit an individual. The amount of fattening ingredients in fast food chains is unbelievable and most things that come from fast food restaurants are high in calories. This is one of the main reasons why fast food restaurants are bad, meals that contain high calories are unhealthy for an individual's health. There have been studies that showed new fast food restaurants in poor areas did not curb obesity or improve diets (Chang). Fast food restaurants have a tremendous impact on those who are obese and correlates with each other making it significant to avoid these fast food chains in order to stay healthy or fit. It is important to stay away from fast food restaurants because the food that many of these restaurants are providing are filled with fat and calories that make it very unhealthy. It is essential that individuals find an alternative and switch up how one may eat, such as eating at Subway instead of McDonalds.…

    • 2002 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Today’s society has been faced with the never ending problem of obesity. Many would blame this problem of obesity in America to poor genetics, unhealthy eating habits, and even lack of physical fitness. After viewing this paper and reviewing these credible sources the reader will have a better understanding as to why individuals become obese. All sources in this paper have been written, reviewed, and critiqued by credible individuals.…

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Modest proposal paper

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Scientific research has been made over the problem of obesity in the US, and the numbers thrown, by this research, indicate that the amount of obese people in the United States of America is around 100.000.000 people, which makes almost one third of the population.…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity is an epidemic in America. It has had an alarmingly growing prevalence rate since the 1960’s: almost 34% for adults alone. The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010 and rising yearly. Obesity occurs across all socioeconomic groups regardless of race, gender and age. Studies do show that obesity occurs in America’s minority and ethnic populations at slightly higher rates, 25% more than white Americans. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), an alarming 1/3 of U.S adults are obese. Another 1/3 is overweight, leaving 68.8 percent of the total population of the United States overweight or obese! No state met the nation 's Healthy People 2010 goal to lower obesity prevalence to 15%. Rather, in 2010, there were 12 states with an obesity prevalence of 30%. A person is considered obese if he or she has a BMI of 30 or higher, which is a weight of at least 20% more than the maximum healthy weight for his or her height. To be considered overweight he or she must have a BMI of 25-29.…

    • 2502 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity Satire

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages

    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity in adults has increased by 50% within the past several decades and in children it has tripled. More than 72 million people and 17% of children are obese. Obesity is a contributing cause of many other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, breathing problems and make activity more difficult. America is home to the most obese people in the world and even though we are one of the most industrialized nations with great economic power and amazing technology, we are also living in a country with the smallest nutritional…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages

    3. Malkinson, Terrance. “Childhood and Adult Obesity.” Iee USA Today’s Engineer Today. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Reuters, 29 Oct. 2003 http://www.todaysengineer.org/2003/Nov/worldbytes.asp…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The leading cause of unnecessary deaths and to the increase in nutrition-related chronic diseases is due to one of the major health problems in the United States, which is obesity. Obesity has become a social issue in the United States where it has affected many families, communities, and health care systems. Being obese is not just a personal problem, it is a social issue that is presented to the public, in which the marketplace and media reacts to. In order to reduce the causes of obesity, Americans should be educated and assisted in learning about nutritional values, there should be an environmental changes to prevent obesity, and promoting obesity as a major public health concern to reduce the cause of obesity.…

    • 847 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages

    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.…

    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Obesity in America is a subject of concern that is getting as big as peoples waste-lines. It affects many Americans on a daily basis, and also affects the way people interact with others. It is an unhealthy trend with a rapid growth rate, quickly consuming many lives. The problem must be fixed for a more happy and healthy life. In order to fix it, the issue of obesity must first be understood, and then controlled at the state it's at, and finally it must be prevented from continually occurring.…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity is a trending topic in America affecting every state, every city and every community across our beautiful country. Obesity is a defeat to our nation becoming the fastest growing cause of disease and death in America. This new wave of obesity is hitting us where it hurts and spreading its grip on our homeland. Obesity is becoming a modern day murderer and the fact that this phenomena is completely preventable is mind boggling. American citizens are becoming blind to false impressions on labels, in the media and in advertising tricks that glorifies fast food in a positive light. We as American’s need to combat obesity by dieting, exercising and even taking legal action is…

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity In North America

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages

    One reason of obesity in North American society is fast food. There are many fast food restaurants in North America. Besides, it is cheaper and faster than other restaurants, and it can be found very easily. For example, if people do not have enough time to cook or they are in a hurry, buying fast food is their best option. Also, fast foods contain high calories, and are packed with high amount of sugars, carbohydrates and oil. For instance, one Big Mac carries 540 calories which an individual need to run for one hour to burn off. In addition, Big Mac is usually served with fries and a large drink which contains high calories.…

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages

    In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by theCenters of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of our adult population has becomeoverweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world, and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time whenAmericans suddenly started going crazy over dieting, jumping onto the treadmills, and buying prepackaged non-fat foods. However, while all of that was going on, the number of obeseAmericans began to increase. According to a report in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, 58 million people in our country weigh over 20 percent of their body’s ideal weight.The article “Fat Times” states, “If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called an epidemic”(Elmer-Dewit 58). The eating habits of society have steadily become more harmful and havestarted to produce gluttonous children, over-indulgent adults, and a food industry set too muchon satisfying our appetites.Obesity can begin at a very young age. Many children in our society are overweight,setting themselves up for serious health problems later in life. Type 2 diabetes, high bloodcholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart problems are just some of the risks. Children who areoverweight also tend to feel less secure, less happy, and be stressed more than normal weight…

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 3126 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Obesity in America is an ever-growing problem each day. As of 2011, The United States of America has the highest obesity rate of any other country of the world. What is obesity? Obesity is defined as “a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body” (Webster). Excess obesity usually begins to have negative affects on the body and often causes health complications. The obesity rate in America has been on the rise for many years and will continue to only get worse if Americans do not take action immediately. Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH said “Today, the state with the lowest obesity rate would have had the highest rate in 1995.” This is a fact that is not easy to hear and even harder to disprove (Levi). Based on polls taken in 2008, more than 50% of 4,000 people that took part in a poll said that they would give up a year of their lives if it meant they would no longer be obese. The same poll also gathered researched that shows the increasing weight of passengers on planes. Airlines have had to spend almost three hundred million on extra fuel to compensate for the massive growth in weight and size of passengers (Heather).…

    • 3126 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Obesity rates in America have sky rocketed more in the past ten to thirty years, than ever before. On average about thirty six percent of adults age twenty and over are obese (as reported from 2009 to 2010) in the United States. However, the percent of adult’s age twenty and over who are overweight (including those who are obese) is at a (estimated) staggering sixty nine percent. The amount of obese American adults is becoming a huge health concern nationwide, but the amount of Americans in general (specifically children) is at a disturbing, unhealthy, all time high.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Yves Engler, a Canadian writer and political activist, claims obesity is an epidemic in America caused mostly by corporations. He declares that obesity is the biggest health crisis in America, and that America is one of the most over weight and obese countries in the world. Engler pronounces that 127 million adults are now overweight and 60 million are obese. He believes that corporations such as the auto industry and fast food restaurants such as MacDonald’s, are to blame for people being over-weight and obese. A large number of fast food restaurants are distributed all over the country and they are continuing to cram more in cities.…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays

Related Topics