Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat which traces its root to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. An individual is primarily diagnosed with obesity if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above. Obesity continues to be one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence of obesity was at 39.8% and affected up to 93.3 million American adults between 2015 and 2016 (Center for Disease and Control: Adult Obesity Facts). The danger with obesity includes the fact that it increases an individual's predisposition to chronic illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes type 2 among others. Therefore, it remains critically vital to answer why Americans have become more obese in the recent past. Many scientists have agreed that the primary cause of obesity in the country include poor dietary means and a sedentary lifestyle.
Diet
Diet is at the heart of the recent increase in the prevalence of obesity in the country. Research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded the rise in fast food sales has a significant impact on the increased body mass index among the citizens. The Americans are also known for their affinity to the fast foods which make up to approximately 11% of the average diet consumed by an American (Schlosser, 2012). Americans are particularly attracted to fast food restaurants because they are delicious, fast, cheap, and filling. However, most of these foods have added sugar and high amount of calorie that when consumed, the body quickly converts them to fat. Studies on the social life of Americans have also demonstrated that only fewer Americans cook their meals at home. A survey showed that 2015 was the first year ever that Americans used a large portion of their money eating on restaurants that they utilized on the groceries (Schlosser, 2012). The overconsumption of energy drinks and beverages also plays a fundamental role in the rise of obesity incidences especially due to the high carbohydrate and sugar levels.
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However, the blame cannot be put entirely on the citizens. Most nutritious foods in America are expensive compared to the fast foods which tend to be more palatable and affordable to most people. Little education on nutrition has also played a significant role in the causation of the disease. Demographic research has shown that the disease is more prevalent among the low socioeconomic individuals because they are the most likely to show a lack of knowledge regarding healthy foods. Obesity has also proved to be problematic especially in racial minorities including the blacks and Hispanics. The CDC explains that this could be due to the increased exposure to the risk factor of diet due to low economic conditions and education. In the wake of these problems, Americans must remain aware that obesity is a risk factor for the development of the chronic diseases mentioned earlier. It, therefore, calls on the change of diet and incorporation of a nutritious lifestyle (Obesity in America).
Americans need to engage in a serious change of diet. Through the help of a dietician, an individual can be put on a plan that assists them in losing a couple of pounds a week. Weight loss begins when an individual loses more calories than they consume. More focus should be shifted to the fast food industries and their marketing endeavors. With the growth of the fast food industry, more companies have engaged in an unethical and deceptive advertisement that has failed to remind the consumer on the impact of excessive consumption of their products. Responsible marketing should be encouraged to ensure that citizens make healthy choices. Other than cutting on calorie consumption, Americans must also abandon certain foods with more sugars and little nutritional value to ensure that they live within the required weight provisions.
Sedentary Lifestyle
The lack of exercise has also been documented as a major reason for the increased rates of obesity. Today, not many Americans are working in the fields and factories as before. Also, the advent of technology has meant that work has demanded more movements thus leading to inactivity. One study aimed at comparing movement in contemporary jobs and those that existed during the 1960s. The research showed that only 20% of jobs today come are characterized by physical activities compared to 50% in the 1960s jobs (Obesity in America). Further research has shown that Americans are burning about 120 fewer calories than they used to do 50 years ago. It means that people are accumulating more calories in their bodies, which in turn leads to an unprecedented increase in weight. However, Rhodes, Mark, & Temmel, (2012) asserted that discussing lethargy requires individuals to think beyond the workplace. It also incorporates how people make their way to work and what they do afterward.
Studies have also shown that many Americans are increasingly walking less compared to other citizens in developed countries. The CDC has also documented that almost 80% of Americans do not have enough exercise. The main problem that occurs in America is the fact that the increase in caloric consumption has happened in the wake of the reduced physical activity. The impact is, therefore, increased in the levels of obesity throughout the spectrum. The various studies that have attempted to assess the recent rates in sedentary lives have shown that the Americas have become busier than before. The use of technological inventions such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and video games has also added to the long list of factors that promote inactivity. The problem with this is that more young people are getting exposed to obesity at high rates thereby impacting their health as they grow up.
Just like in diet, Americans have an essential role in changing their lifestyles by becoming more active. Although a sedentary lifestyle can be necessary, individuals should dedicate more time to conduct exercises either individually or with the help of an instructor such as a gym specialist. Some of the exercise interventions that could be applied include aerobics and those that promote flexibility, endurance, and strength among others in a bid to burn any extra calories acquired.
Body Positivity
In the wake of the recent alert on obesity, people have developed a misconception on the essence of being overweight. A movement known as the body-positive has emerged with concerns over boosting self-esteem and self-image of people of different sizes and shapes. Although opponents of this movement have primarily claimed that body positivity can contribute to obesity, this is not necessarily the case. Men and women must continue showing pride in their bodies because this is the only way that an individual can appreciate their diversity and uniqueness. If being "fat" will always be associated with obesity, then such a scenario will likely create a negative image for overweight by making it abnormal. Most fundamentally, allowing people to explore their body provides them with the much-needed autonomy to make healthier decisions that best fits them.
In conclusion, obesity continues to be a significant challenge in the US. Two of the most critical factors that have contributed to the increased prevalence include poor dietary choices and inactivity that has come with the sedentary life. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the citizens to practice healthy lifestyles by eating nutritious food and engaging in exercise activities. More fundamentally, monitoring weight and checking up with the doctor are also favorable practices.
References
Center for Disease and Control: Adult Obesity Facts https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Obesity in America, PublicHealth https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Rhodes, R. E., Mark, R. S., & Temmel, C. P. (2012). Adult sedentary behavior: a systematic review. American journal of preventive medicine, 42(3), e3-e28.
Schlosser, E. (2012). Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
