Obesity is a global issue that honestly doesn't deserve enough attention throughout the media and in our daily lives. In the U.S today, more than 1 in 3 adults are obese (according to niddk.nih.gov). If this weren't bad enough, children across the country also face serious weight issues as well. For example, in the United States, more than 1 in 6 children are considered to be obese (according to niddk.nih.gov). You may be wondering, where in the United States are people most obese? What states specifically are suffering from these dramatic weight gain issues? Well, according to motherjones.com, the region where the growing obesity crisis is most severe is in the midwest and southwest. From a geographical standpoint, this is including states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia. What goes along with this prevailing effect of obesity on the population in these states are ailments such as type 1 and 2 diabetes. In fact, diabetes holds it's highest influence in Mississippi, while obesity is having it's greatest impact in the state of Louisiana (as of 2016). So, why are states like these in such a horrible position when compared to states in the far west of the U.S (such as Colorado and Utah)? There are various reasons such as genetics, over-consumption, and not doing enough excercise. In the next paragraph I will discuss fast food playing a dominant role in obesity across the U.S.
As you may know already, many Americans rely on fast-food as a go to source of food. Whether you're in a rush or want something knew, we have all experienced a hot dog or burger right off the grill. Here are some facts about our increasing consumption of not-so-healthy foods in the U.S. Carbonated soft drinks are the most favored beverage in the U.S. Also, McDonald's has more locations throughout the United States than Arby's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Taco Bell combined. And, don't forget, McDonald's sells 75 hamburgers every second (according to blog.partnersforyourhealth.com) So, why am I bringing up all of these random facts about fast food's prevalence in the modern American diet? Well, because white bread was ranked at the #1 spot for obesity causing foods (according to healingtalks.com). This makes sense as the previous fast food restaurants use white bread frequently (sandwich buns, breadsticks etc.), so it is no wonder Americans are becoming obese so quickly. Furthermore, there is the assumption that Americans spend a large portion of their incomes on food wherever they can find it. However, this is not the case whatsoever. In fact, Americans spend the least amount of their income on food than any other country (according to the atlantic.com). The reason for the large amount of food consumption is simply the diet decisions we make. Instead of going to fast food restaurants when Americans feel hungry, they should make food at their homes. This is just my opinion though.
In short, something needs to be done about decreasing obesity in the United States. 33% of people in the United States being obese is far too much. There should be efforts for children attending middle or high schools to do exercise in order to combat this. Granted, this may not be in the parents interests, but even 30 minutes to an hour of walking is beneficial for the human body. Don't just take my word for it though as tescoliving.com has some important information on the benefits of walking every day. For example, according to their website, "walking may reduce the risk of getting a stroke by 27%". Better yet, walking gives people more energy, and this is especially important for kids at school. Through the distribution of oxygen to cells in the body when walking, this helps to stimulate a person's awareness and energy levels. The most important of these benefits though is the fact that walking can help a person lose weight. When I read about how detrimental fast food is to a person's health, there need to be alternatives. Perhaps cutting back on how many fast food places there are in the United States isn't a bad idea. Or, having healthier options is a possibility as well. Nonetheless, given the fact that obesity hasn't slowed down in the past 15 years, action has to be taken to slow it down, and ultimately end the issue of food insecurity.
As you may know already, many Americans rely on fast-food as a go to source of food. Whether you're in a rush or want something knew, we have all experienced a hot dog or burger right off the grill. Here are some facts about our increasing consumption of not-so-healthy foods in the U.S. Carbonated soft drinks are the most favored beverage in the U.S. Also, McDonald's has more locations throughout the United States than Arby's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Taco Bell combined. And, don't forget, McDonald's sells 75 hamburgers every second (according to blog.partnersforyourhealth.com) So, why am I bringing up all of these random facts about fast food's prevalence in the modern American diet? Well, because white bread was ranked at the #1 spot for obesity causing foods (according to healingtalks.com). This makes sense as the previous fast food restaurants use white bread frequently (sandwich buns, breadsticks etc.), so it is no wonder Americans are becoming obese so quickly. Furthermore, there is the assumption that Americans spend a large portion of their incomes on food wherever they can find it. However, this is not the case whatsoever. In fact, Americans spend the least amount of their income on food than any other country (according to the atlantic.com). The reason for the large amount of food consumption is simply the diet decisions we make. Instead of going to fast food restaurants when Americans feel hungry, they should make food at their homes. This is just my opinion though.
In short, something needs to be done about decreasing obesity in the United States. 33% of people in the United States being obese is far too much. There should be efforts for children attending middle or high schools to do exercise in order to combat this. Granted, this may not be in the parents interests, but even 30 minutes to an hour of walking is beneficial for the human body. Don't just take my word for it though as tescoliving.com has some important information on the benefits of walking every day. For example, according to their website, "walking may reduce the risk of getting a stroke by 27%". Better yet, walking gives people more energy, and this is especially important for kids at school. Through the distribution of oxygen to cells in the body when walking, this helps to stimulate a person's awareness and energy levels. The most important of these benefits though is the fact that walking can help a person lose weight. When I read about how detrimental fast food is to a person's health, there need to be alternatives. Perhaps cutting back on how many fast food places there are in the United States isn't a bad idea. Or, having healthier options is a possibility as well. Nonetheless, given the fact that obesity hasn't slowed down in the past 15 years, action has to be taken to slow it down, and ultimately end the issue of food insecurity.
http://stateofobesity.org/states/ms/
http://stateofobesity.org/diabetes/
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2015/09/obesity-crisis-map-united-states
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
http://prc.tulane.edu/projects/detail/23/Impact-of-Food-Availability-on-Diet
http://www.eatthis.com/most-and-least-obese-states-in-america-ranked
https://blog.partnersforyourhealth.com/blog/more-shocking-fast-food-statistics-you-should-know
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/03/cheap-eats-how-america-spends-money-on-food/273811/
http://stateofobesity.org/diabetes/
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2015/09/obesity-crisis-map-united-states
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
http://prc.tulane.edu/projects/detail/23/Impact-of-Food-Availability-on-Diet
http://www.eatthis.com/most-and-least-obese-states-in-america-ranked
https://blog.partnersforyourhealth.com/blog/more-shocking-fast-food-statistics-you-should-know
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/03/cheap-eats-how-america-spends-money-on-food/273811/