The United States has been overwhelmed by obesity and obesity related diseases which has led to the acceptance of a new norm. The percentage of obese and overweight individuals has reached an all time high because of high consumption rates of unhealthy foods. Processed foods became very easily accessible and caused a large increase in consumption which began in 1980. People started to over consume these processed goods which resulted in weight gain and other unhealthy side effects. The increase in overweight individuals created a negative image that currently represents the United States as the most overweight country in the world. The 18 to 26 year olds have inherited a problem they did not create, but now must try to fix what has been building up for decades. The millennials are at the perfect age to influence the future by making changes in their generation and by passing down healthy habits to later generations. By taking personal responsibility, and promoting a healthy lifestyle, millennials have the chance to decrease the impact that …show more content…
Indisputably, America was at an all time high. Just two percent of Americans were considered to be overweight and divorce rates were low. A majority of meals were homemade, as a parent was usually present in the home to prepare meals. Stores sold whole foods that were cooked at home, with no additional ingredients. The percentage of diabetic Americans was low because most cases were genetic rather than Type 2 Diabetes. Families did not go out to eat often because the price of eating at restaurants was expensive. Eating out was usually used to celebrate special events or other significant moments. Towards the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, processed, boxed, and packaged foods were introduced into the market. This caused many people to turn to processed goods to be used as a cheap and fast alternative when they were short on time or just