After years of rapid increasing in obesity rates in America, trends have reached an all-time high. Obesity is having too much excess body fat, it is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI calculates one’s body fat in regard to their height and weight. For an individual to be considered obese, their Body Mass Index must be greater than 30. Obesity impacts an individual’s health in a very serious and negative way. Obesity is linked to type two diabetes, multiple forms of cancer, heart disease, and heart attack. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 36.5%, or one-third, of adults in the United States suffer from obesity (Cdc.gov, 2018). Many factors contribute to obesity but the most prevalent of which are eating habits, lack of exercise, demographics, and other health issues which includes diseases, medications, and genetics.
Obesity is a worldwide problem but is much more prominent in the United States than anywhere else. Americans have adapted a more convenient and modern lifestyle which includes driving instead of riding a bike or walking. Stopping by a fast food restaurant instead of cooking at home has become to new normal. Fast food restaurants are higher in portion sizes, calories, sugars, carbohydrates, sodium, etc. The average restaurant meal has increased four times the size since the 1950’s while plate sizes have also increased (“How Much Have Obesity Rates Risen Since 1950?”). Fast food consumption costs were nearly $164.8 billion in 2010, which was a 3% rise from 2009 (News-medical.net, 2017). For example, someone might think ordering a salad from McDonald’s is much healthier and better for them than ordering a Big Mac. One Big Mac from McDonald’s has 540 calories, 9 grams of sugars, and 45 grams of carbohydrates while a Southwest Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Salad has 520 calories, 9 grams of sugars, and 46 grams of carbohydrates (Mcdonalds.com). Fast food is associated with a higher BMI as well as causing an energy imbalance. A 15-year study was conducted using 3,000 adults. Out of those 3000 adults, those who visited fast food restaurants more than twice per week gained around 9 to 11 pounds more than people who visited them less than once per week (Bariatric-surgery-source.com, 2017).
While obesity can affect anyone at any age, demographics and socioeconomic status still play a part. According to a CDC study, African Americans consume up to 33% more fast food than Caucasians do which is a direct link to higher obesity levels (“Obesity in America, who is Affected – publichealth.org”). The race with the lowest obesity rates are Asians. No one is sure how or why demographics contribute but evidence has proven it does. Race plays such a minor role, it is almost inadequate. Income levels contribute much more. Individuals with lower income show significantly higher levels for being overweight or obese. Those with lower incomes might not have access to healthier food options. Healthier food options cost drastically more which leaves those with lower incomes limited to foods high in sugar, calories, and carbohydrates such as food from fast food restaurants. Education also seems to be a factor in obesity. Studies show women with lower incomes and limited education are much more likely to be overweight or obese than women with a college degree and decent income; men follow the same pattern as well (Cdc.gov, 2018).
Certain states across the United States also show trends of higher obesity rates compared to others. The south has the highest obesity rates among any other region in America. West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the United States at 37.7% while Colorado has the lowest obesity rate 22.3% (Stateofobesity.org, 2018). Obesity rates have surpassed 35% in five states, 25 states have exceeded 30%, and the remainder of the states are above 20%. Lawmakers are trying to control the obesity epidemic by creating new policies and programs. Michelle Obama created the “Let’s Move” initiative which was intended to help solve problem of obesity within a generation. The goal of “Let’s Move” was to put the younger generation on the path to growing up with a healthy lifestyle so they would be able to pass it on. In addition to “Let’s Move”, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was created. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act passed in 2010 and required school lunches to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and high dairy options as well as limiting foods with high fats, added sugars, and salt (Fns.usda.gov, 2014). Nutrition has to do with about 80% of either losing or gaining weight. The average caloric intake in the United States has increased by nearly 20% from 1983 to 2000 (America, 2018). Obese individuals eat more calories than necessary to sustain their dietary needs leading to rapid weight gain.
Obesity can have very damaging health effects on a person. Individuals who are obese have a higher risk for type two diabetes, heart attacks, heart disease, cancers, hypertension, and a lower quality of life (Cdc.gov, 2018). The cost of these health effects can also lead to financial struggles. The cost of medical care for an obese person is nearly six times the amount it is for a person who is not overweight or obese. Medical care for obese people is around $190 billion a year in additional medical spending (Stateofobesity.org, 2018). Reports showed the annual medical spending for an obese person was $3,271 while the annual medical spending for a non-obese person was around $512 (“As America's Waistline Expands, Costs Soar – reuters.com”). This makes obese people less desirable to hire due to the added cost in insurance for their employers. The Affordable Care Act allowed employers to “charge obese employees between 30 to 50 percent more in what they contribute toward their health insurance benefit should an employee refuse to participate in a qualified wellness program designed to help them lose weight” (“Obesity Now Costs Americans More In HealthCare Spending Than Smoking – forbes.com”). Obese individuals can become more of a burden for their employers. It is difficult to reverse the damage of obesity however, obesity can be prevented, and these costs can be reduced. Obesity can be prevented simply by living a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is easy to maintain – it includes healthy food choices and treats in moderations, a good night sleep, and daily exercise. A healthy lifestyle will reduce an individual’s risk for diseases, heart attacks, and weight gain which all lead to a more fulfilling and happier life.
Even though obesity has reached an all-time high in America, there is still time to reverse and manage it. Obesity often runs in families due to an unhealthy lifestyle that is learned and passed down but with making the proper changes to healthier food choices and exercise it is possible to stop the cycle. It can be difficult to change old habits of going to get fast food for every meal to learning to cook at home, but the outcome would be a much better and happier life with more opportunities.