Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Obesity in America

According to the American Obesity Association, obesity is a disease that has affected nearly one-third of the adult US-population. Furthermore, roughly 64.5 percent of adults in America are classified as overweight or obese. Quite alarming figures, n'est pas?

Traveling to multiple countries has a tremendous impact on the lives of curious explorers - for which most world travelers can vouch. In addition to discovering unique cultures, this hobby can occasionally generate a sense of patriotism to even the most unmotivated American. Before living in France, my involvement in politics (or American patriotism) was rather limited, with the exception of my electoral vote in the '04 Presidential Election. As a democrat, a liberal and an anti-Bush Jr. activist, it was easy as pie to criticize the American Government while in France. Yet, at the same time, I felt an overwhelming sense of duty to persuade my foreign friends that America, in fact, isn't such as bad place. Not all Americans have a personality equivalent to that of Mr. Bush; additionally, not all Americans are overweight. For the most part, it's all fun and games. Traveling buddies from time to time will inquire about the eating habits of most Americans: How much fast food do Americans consume per week? Do they really eat French fries everyday? My personal favorite is a confused stare that is quickly followed by "You are so thin. How is this possible?" Hmmm...yes, every American is obese. I just happened to forget that wee fact while traveling. Obesity is a problem in America; this is fact, not fiction. At the same time, there exists millions of Americans who not only exercise, but scan the grocery aisles for 100 percent organic vegetables, fruits and grains.

Really, it's not their fault - considering the American restaurants available worldwide are Burger King, Dominos, McDonald's and Pizza Hut (to name a few). In addition to those unhealthy options, ice cream conglomerates such as Coldstone, Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's are easily accessible for the sweet toothers. Contrarily, the Subway addition to the list does tip the scale from excessively unhealthy to very unhealthy. Yey! Why is it only the most addictive, unhealthy restaurants survive abroad? Do these businesses get a special discount? Ten years from now, I hope America no longer has this ridiculous stereotype, but in order for this to be achieved, Americans need to change certain habits.

First, a bag of Cheetos does not equal a side salad appetizer. Furthermore, a side salad appetizer does nothing if accompanied with a cup of ranch or thousand island dressing. Second, after having read an article from TIME magazine - The Myth About Exercise - perpetual exercise does nothing without a balanced, healthy diet. It may seem as though the moist blueberry muffin from the local market is much-deserved after an hour on a StairMaster, yet the 77 minutes of cycling needed to burn off its 360 calories might tempt you otherwise. Portion control isn't a new philosophy; and for the most part, most Americans are aware restaurant chains, pop and candy bars are not acceptable substitutes for organic, nutritious, low calorie meals. So I ask you, if most Americans know this and have the means of balancing their diets, how is the percentage of obesity in America at 64.5 percent? Are Americans lazy? Are we apathetic? What can the American Government do to help control obesity in this nation?
Answers??

America isn't the only country with an obesity problem - check out China! The Chinese have been developing quite the sweet tooth lately. See below.


2 comments:

  1. Junk/fast food is an immediate and guaranteed positive. They (generally) taste good and are often readily available.

    Meanwhile, the benefits of healthy living are not as immediately apparent (and as the article on exercise said, could never happen). People can spend their whole lives working out and, if they don't do it right, never look the way they want, and healthy foods often take extra effort to prepare, which isn't an attractive feature when one is really hungry.

    So that's the big dilemma: Quick, good and easy or a gamble that might leave you with a bad taste in your mouth?

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  2. Some true bits, but I don't know about healthy foods leaving people with a bad taste in their mouths. Most healthy meals I've had are nothing but delicious. :)

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