Obesity

The adult obesity rate in the United States has doubled since 1980, and the child obesity rate has tripled. The obesity rate world wide has also been steadily increasing.

In the documentary " Supersize me", Morgan Spurlock ate McDonalds for thirty days to determine the effects of eating fast food on the body. As a result of his McDonalds only diet, he gained 25 pounds and his total cholesterol increased by 65.

Morgan demonstrated by "Super Sizing" his McDonalds meals that these large portions which contain way more calories and fat than the body needs, lead to weight gain. Today our portion sizes are about three times greater than are acutally needed.

The increase in soda consumption has contributed to the increase in obesity. Some states have tried to ban the sale of super large sodas (Big Gulps), and tax sugary drinks to try to combat obesity. In 1978, the average teenage boy drank 7 ounces of soda a day. Now teenage boys drink triple that amount. The increase in soda consumption also depletes the body of both calcium and magnesium leading to osteoporosis.

Fast food is often cheaper and more accessible than healthy food. This coupled with the large portion sizes has contributed to the rise in obesity. Another factor adding to the obesity problem is lack of exercise because of increased TV watching, computer usage and sedentary lifestyles. Without the exercise to burn off all those calories, people end up obese and in poor health.

We are bombarded daily with advertisements for fast food, sodas, and candy everywhere we look . These companies target children by using bright colors and toys in their ads. These companies bank on the 'nag factor' and convenience to get parents to buy these unhealthy products for their children. After seeing all these ads and having your parents take you become loyal costumers who buy till they die.

These companies make their unhealthy food options convenient, and even have them in some schools. They prey on the fact that young people don't know how unhealthy burgers, sodas, fries, are and what it will do to their health. Often times healthy options are available, but not advertised or made to look yummy. All these companies care about is money. To combat this problem some states have laws that require calories to be listed on menus.

HEALTH ISSUES THAT COME WITH OBESITY/BEING OVERWEIGHT

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
• Diabetes mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes)
• Gall bladder disease
• Gout
• Osteoporosis
• Pulmonary disease
• Renal disease
• Fatty liver
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart attacks
• High Cholesterol

The most common problems associated with obesity are high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease which all decrease your life span. Obesity and all its associated health issues also decrease overall health and the quality of life.

Easy access to fast food, soda and unhealthy foods has increased obesity around the world. Many people then struggle to lose the weight. The weight loss industry is a billion dollar industry. Some try to treat their obesity with gastric bypass surgery to make their stomach smaller to control food intake , but it is a very risky procedure. There are no short cuts to weight loss. The only real way to lose weight is controlled diet and exercise which takes time.

Conclusion:
In the last few decades the access to fast-food has and, as a result, so has obesity. The reasons fast food is bad has to do with the amount of trans fats, sugars and calories that are in these meals. The sugar content in soda and its increased consumption has also contributed to the rise in obesity. People are bombarded with ads for fast-food, soda and candy everywhere they look. Increased TV, Computer and sedentary lifestyles in our society has also made it easier to become obese. Being obese comes with life threatening health issues which increases the chances of having a heart attack/strokes at a younger age. Now you know what fast-food and soda can do to your bodies, and it's up to you to decide if you will change your eating habits.

Balentine, DO, FACEP, Jerry R. “Obesity: Get the Facts on Guidelines and Statistics.” Edited by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD , MedicineNet, 9 Dec. 2015, www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/article.htm.
Schlosser, Eric, and Charles Wilson. Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know about Fast Food. Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
Sorensen, Becky. “Obesity in America and Its Children: Affecting the Lives of Millions – Artifacts Journal - University of Missouri.” Artifacts Journal RSS, University of Missouri , Aug. 2009, artifactsjournal.missouri.edu/2009/08/obesity-in-america-and-its-children-a...