Obesity has been an epidemic in America for some time now. Efforts to discourage behaviors that cause obesity have been largely unsuccessful. Studies show that 40% of women in the US are overweight and the number of obese teenagers is quickly rising. While there are still plenty of overweight men in the US, the number of women and children experiencing obesity is growing. What are the causes of this epidemic and are there viable solutions?
Currently 38% of adults and 17% of teens are overweight in the United States. A person is defined as overweight when their BMI is 25 or higher. Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
There are a number of factors causing Americans to get fatter.
Cost of food
Simply put, healthy food is significantly more expensive than "junk" food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often too expensive for many American families. When the people are struggling to make ends meet, it is logical for them to choose the cheapest possible food items.
Time
Americans are increasingly busy. It requires time and effort to cook healthy meals. It is more efficient to simply drive through a fast food restaurant and grab dinner for the family. The fast food industry has made efforts to offer healthier options. But it seems that few people are taking advantage of these choices.
Addiction
Americans have become addicted to "junk" food. These products are packed with sugar, MSG, and other addictive additives. It is common for people to experience withdrawals when they attempt to stop eating these foods.
Efforts to slow obesity rates have been un-effective. Educating the public is crucial but we need a more comprehensive approach. It begins with lowering the cost of healthy eating. Then, making it more readily available to busy Americans. If we do not tackle this problem soon, we will become a nation of sickly obese people.
