Obesity in America

“Obesity in America”

“Welcome to McDonald’s, may I take your order?”

“I would like a double cheeseburger with everything, a large fry, and a Coca-Cola.”

“Would you like to super-size your meal for an additional thirty-nine cents?” “Yes, please.”

This dialogue is an example of how many Americans prefer to eat at highly caloric fast food restaurants because they are too tired to cook fresh food. This is one of the many factors that can lead to the growing problem of being overweight. Lack of routine exercise is also a big reason why Americans are suffering from the problem of obesity. This problem can also be caused by how a person is genetically composed. “In 2004, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked obesity as the number one health threat facing America. Obesity currently results in an estimated 400,000 deaths annually and costs nearly $122.9 billion” (Epidemic 1). This shows just how deadly this “disease” can be to America. There are many causes that will be discussed in this paper.

Obesity is a serious public health problem in the United States. The prevalence of obesity has increased sharply among children and adults over the past three decades. According to the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, thirty-two percent of adults in the United States are overweight, and an additional twenty-two point five are obese (Wadden 3). Being overweight or obese will cut many years from a person’s life. Something needs to be done now about this problem or else it will continue to get worse.

Thomas A. Wadden defines obesity as an excess amount of body fat. One of the main influences in the growing problem of obesity in America is due to the environment that the people of this country have grown up in.

Environments also strongly influence obesity. This includes lifestyle behaviors such as what a person eats and his or her level of physical activity. Americans tend to eat high-fat foods, and put taste and convenience ahead of nutrition. Also, most Americans do not get enough physical activity

(Policastro).

Americans equate beauty to slimness. When a person is not feeling beautiful, they may develop depression which can lead to eating disorders. Many people are too lazy to do anything about their problems. However, everyone has the option of whether they want to change their eating habits or increase their level of activity. Americans grow up in a society where they are always on the run and everywhere a person goes they can find a fast-food place on the way. Americans need to choose meals that are more nutritious and low in fat. One example of how this can be done is “Learning to recognize environmental cues (such as enticing smells) that may make them want to eat when they are not hungry” (Wadden 5). This reflects on how our environment somewhat, forces these habits on people. Every day on TV there are commercials encouraging the people to go out and eat this unhealthy food. This issue can be helped if a person makes a simple choice like picking a healthy Subway sandwich instead of getting a fatty burger and greasy fries.

Many people will eat because they are sad, bored, or even angry. According to Thomas A. Wadden, thirty percent of people who have problems with being overweight are also experiencing troubles with binge eating(35). People with binge eating disorders sometimes struggle to keep excess weight off of themselves. Counseling can be a good way to control the challenges of dealing with a binge eating disorder. Wadden also states that “Nearly ten percent of obese people who try to lose weight through different programs or by themselves have a binge eating disorder” (105). One syndrome that has increased over the years is the night-eating syndrome. This is when the depression occurs later at night and a person will wake up more frequently than the average person will, and eat during these awakenings as a result of depression. In a study that was reported by Wadden, it says, “This study confirmed the elements of the night eating syndrome previously reported, including night eating, evening hyperphagia, and insomnia” (Wadden 115). The night eating syndrome is a combination of eating disorder, sleep disorder, and mood disorder. The best way to help cure a binge eating disorder is to get help from a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist.

According to the book Obesity in America, Bray explains, “There are also many diseases that can lead to obesity such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, depression, and certain neurological problems” (107). Hypothyroidism is a glandular disorder that results from insufficient production