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OBESITY CONTROL COULD BE SO SIMPLE. IT STARTS WITH US
A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY OBESITY CONTROL NEEDS TO BE FACED ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.
While watching Super Bowl LIX, I found the commercial breaks as captivating as the game itself. Many advertisements focused on weight loss alternatives and body positivity. These commercials promoted weight loss medications and body acceptance among overweight youth, overlooking the severity of obesity in the United States. I struggled to comprehend why obesity isn’t properly addressed despite its prevalence. Rather than tackling the actual problem with solutions like nutritious eating and consistent exercise, these ads pushed alternative weight loss methods and misguided body positivity. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 40 percent of Americans are classified as obese. This epidemic in the United States represents an enormous challenge that can no longer be disregarded. It’s time to implement measures to healthily reduce obesity rates across the country.
As a strategy to encourage healthier lifestyles, brands like Poppi market their products as “better alternatives” to traditional soda. According to their website, Poppi’s purported benefits include improved gut health, reduced sugar content, and fewer calories. However, Healthline reports that the added prebiotics in Poppi can cause digestive discomfort including bloating and cramping. While products like Poppi might appear to be excellent weight loss options due to their low calorie count, they may cause harm in other ways.
Preservatives are extremely common in American products. The NIH reports that nearly 60 percent of American goods contain additives, illustrating how challenging it is to avoid preservatives in a typical American diet. Consuming these preservatives can trigger metabolic responses associated with obesity. According to Mount Sinai, an integrated healthcare program, Americans can attempt to avoid obesity and other health risks by selecting organic, preservative-free products.
Body positivity and self-acceptance differ from being healthy. Appreciating one’s appearance is essential for a fulfilling lifestyle, but physical health deserves equal consideration alongside mental health. Obesity is extremely detrimental to health, and its recent glorification may mislead the public into believing obesity is acceptable, despite its life-threatening consequences. Body positive influencers promote unhealthy practices under the guise of self-love.
Their content shows them consuming excessive amounts of food, exercising irregularly, and using seat-belt extenders on airplanes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excess fat leads to serious health issues including musculoskeletal disorders, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases that cause premature death and significant disability. Physical health should be prioritized, especially when current body weight negatively impacts quality of life. Self-love remains crucial for mental wellbeing, so individuals should maintain body positivity while improving their physical health.
A recently popularized weight loss method involves medication and injections. Those prescribed these medications typically see results within two to four months. However, these treatments can cause serious health complications. According to VCU Health, a clinical research company, many patients experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn from weight loss medications.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates for gradual weight loss through proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and healthy sleep patterns. Medical News Today states that adults require a maximum of 3,000 calories daily. By contrast, USA Today reports that the average American consumes more than 3,800 calories per day. Exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle as it strengthens cardiovascular health and enhances overall mood.
The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. According to the Washingtonian, a media magazine, the average American spends 120 minutes per week being physically active—30 minutes less than the minimum recommended amount.
Weight-loss companies exploit the severity of obesity by promoting weight-loss drugs over healthy weight loss methods. Losing weight healthily requires more time and effort but provides more sustainable long-term results. Americans should follow the CDC’s guidance to lose weight by reducing caloric intake and increasing weekly physical activity to meet at least the minimum recommendations.
A significant contributor to obesity is poverty; purchasing fast food often seems like the only option for those lacking access to grocery stores or time for commuting. Healthier foods typically cost more than fast food because they require more resources and time to produce. A McDonald’s Happy Meal costs between $6 and $7, while the average pound of ground beef costs about $5. Although fast food establishments like McDonald’s may appear more economical, it’s important to consider their pricing relative to typical grocery store items.
Health represents one of life’s most crucial investments. Switching from spending $20 at McDonald’s for family dinner to spending $20 at Ralph’s for dinner ingredients can dramatically improve one’s health. Despite the convenience of fast food, health should take precedence over convenience. Health constitutes a long-term investment, and ignoring this can create future problems. People should make deliberate choices such as purchasing healthier foods to enhance their health.
To evolve into a healthier nation, we must address the fundamental causes of obesity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6% of the U.S. population resides in low-income areas with limited access to grocery stores, with most of these areas being 1 to 10 miles from fresh food sources. Obesity represents a systemic issue since it can result from poverty and inadequate access to healthy food. Society should make greater efforts to encourage active exercise and healthy eating while advocating for increased resources for lower-income areas.
