Obesity in America
Obesity is a worldwide issue. It has more than doubled since 1980. While there are other countries that are battling obesity, America leads the world in percentage of people who are obese. (3)
According to the CDC website, almost 40 percent of American adults and nearly 20 percent of adolescents are obese. These rates are the highest rates ever recorded for the U.S. So what is obesity exactly? Obesity means that the body has extra fat tissue either directly under the skin, or surrounding the organs, which is dangerous. When a person consumes more calories than they burn in a day, they gain weight. (1) This weight comes in the form of fat cells that build up in the body. Storing excess fat around the organs increases inflammation and leads to
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When your body is inflamed, your liver becomes overwhelmed with cholesterol and toxins, which leads to plaque buildup in your arteries. (2) This often leads to heart disease, high blood pressure and increases the risk of strokes. (1) But why are we gaining weight? As stated above, the most simple cause is the fact that more calories are consumed than are burned. People are eating much more than in times before, and living less active lifestyles. (1) Aside from that, there are several other potential factors that contribute to obesity. Mental health, genetics, culture, and environment all contribute as well. Some argue that the cost of eating healthier is much higher than eating fast food or less healthy choices. What does the cost have to do with it? Often times the lower class can only afford processed foods because they are cheap! They have less access to medical care, so when they eat processed, sugary foods they gain weight and they risk of developing all of the related health issues that come along with obesity. Sometimes it comes down to those in the lower classes not being educated on the risks, or proper