The Public Needs to Know
The Public Needs to Know – Revised Version
Lorraine Brack
ENG 115: Assignment 2.2
Strayer University
Dr. Kathryn Whitener
29 May 2013
The Public Needs to Know – Revised Version Americans continue to become more and more overweight. They continue to fill themselves with empty carbohydrates and fatty foods that are full of sodium and cholesterol. The fast food industry is part of the blame, along with the public’s unhealthy food choices. The fast food industry grew out of the need for a quick fix for hunger. It has become quite cheap and is easily accessible. However, it is almost always not a healthy choice. Americans die of heart disease every day and “about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year” (cdc.gov). This amounts to about “1 in every 4 deaths” (cdc.gov). Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women. The affects of heart disease continue to affect the community, as “every year about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack” (cdc.gov). A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that the trends in the prevalence of obesity among U.S. children ages 6–11 increased from 4.0 percent in 1971-1974 to 18.8 percent in 2007-2010. This same survey also revealed that adolescents ages 12-19 increased from, 6.1 percent in 1971-1974, decreasing to 5.0 percent in 1976-1980, but then elevated back up to 18.2 percent by 2007-2010 (AHA Staff). As a result of these numbers and the heart disease epidemic, the state school board has chosen to embark in a few changes to the breakfast and lunch program. By simply offering our children more nutritious meals and teaching them the value of eating healthy while in a school setting, they become more conscientious of their food choices and begin to see an improve with their overall health and energy levels. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “obese youth are more
Lorraine Brack
ENG 115: Assignment 2.2
Strayer University
Dr. Kathryn Whitener
29 May 2013
The Public Needs to Know – Revised Version Americans continue to become more and more overweight. They continue to fill themselves with empty carbohydrates and fatty foods that are full of sodium and cholesterol. The fast food industry is part of the blame, along with the public’s unhealthy food choices. The fast food industry grew out of the need for a quick fix for hunger. It has become quite cheap and is easily accessible. However, it is almost always not a healthy choice. Americans die of heart disease every day and “about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year” (cdc.gov). This amounts to about “1 in every 4 deaths” (cdc.gov). Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women. The affects of heart disease continue to affect the community, as “every year about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack” (cdc.gov). A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that the trends in the prevalence of obesity among U.S. children ages 6–11 increased from 4.0 percent in 1971-1974 to 18.8 percent in 2007-2010. This same survey also revealed that adolescents ages 12-19 increased from, 6.1 percent in 1971-1974, decreasing to 5.0 percent in 1976-1980, but then elevated back up to 18.2 percent by 2007-2010 (AHA Staff). As a result of these numbers and the heart disease epidemic, the state school board has chosen to embark in a few changes to the breakfast and lunch program. By simply offering our children more nutritious meals and teaching them the value of eating healthy while in a school setting, they become more conscientious of their food choices and begin to see an improve with their overall health and energy levels. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “obese youth are more
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (19 Feb 2013). Childhood Obesity Facts. Retrieved 12 May 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (19 Mar. 2013). Heart Disease Facts: America’s Heart Disease Burden Dillon, S. (29 Nov. 2011). Lines Grow Long for Free School Meals, Thanks to Economy. The New York Times