Essay On The American Diet

The American Diet: The Physical and Internal Life Long Effects

Are most Americans considered unhealthier compared to people in other countries? One wonders, is it the unending amount of fast food restaurants, easy access to drugs and alcohol, the ingredients contained in our daily diets, or mental health? Americans spend far more money on their health than any other country in the world, yet the life expectancy for an American is less than that of someone from a wealthier country. Ever since the 2000’s, American life expectancy has dropped. It will continue to decline if Americans do not learn how to change their poor habits. Americans have unsupervised access to drugs, alcohol, and processed food. This leads to addiction, obesity, and in

From Focus on Wellness one scientist states, “An increasing number of Americans are coping with chronic health conditions – diseases that are ongoing and generally not curable. Today, an estimated 133 million Americans – nearly half the population – suffer from at least one chronic illness, such as hypertension, heart disease and arthritis” (Walker 3). The increasing number of people developing chronic illness can lead to numerous factors, but mainly the consequences of what we consume, like processed foods and drugs. One of the main reasons why drugs are so harmful is because of how it can affect your brain and body systems. If you were to start smoking or doing drugs more occasionally, your brain chemistry could be changed and lead you to addiction or serious mental health problems. It could also damage vital organs which can lead to chronic health problems. Since drugs also mess with your way of thinking, they can also increase your risk of accidents or injuries, and may also lead to the increased risk of death. Studies from the National Institute of Health have proven that “Americans have more access to drugs and

Some American foods contain harmful ingredients including high amounts of salt, sugar, fats, and additives. These ingredients can be the main cause of obesity, heart disease, and other health problems. After recent studies, it has been proven that the American diet can negatively affect lifespan because of all the added chemicals and preservatives in our diets. “There are so many American foods that may contain ingredients that have been linked with various diseases and health conditions. At least 20 american-favorites are banned in other countries” (Firman: 1). This study shows that other countries are understanding the risks of unhealthy fast food and unhealthy ingredients and making changes. On the other hand, Americans continue to ignore these proven facts about unhealthy foods. Researchers found that “Around 70% of Americans are over a healthy weight range and about 36% of these people are obese, which is a key risk factor concerning death” (Tiwari 12). Since America is known to have fast food chains around every corner, it comes with the risk of obesity and poor health in general. Not only are fast food restaurants quick and easy, but they are also cheap and affordable, which is why it attracts so many