Obesity in America: a Treacherous Status Quo

Obesity in America: A Treacherous Status Quo Although the United States is an economic power and constantly progressing, Americans are some of the unhealthiest people in the world. The United States is so plagued with obesity that it is quickly becoming an accepted aspect of our culture, but the last thing this country needs to do is to embrace obesity. Consequently, something so American as being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one 's way of life and behavior is lowering the life expectancy rate for younger generations and threatening our national security. Among the 75 percent of young Americans ages 17 to 24 who are unable to serve in the United States military, 27 percent are not able to join because they are overweight, “making weight problems the single biggest factor limiting the pool of potential recruits” (Too Fat, 2010, p. 1). Many obese people have learned to change their diet out of necessity––i.e. due to various life threatening diseases and complications––but will more people be able to go against the strong current of an unhealthy society for the sake of national security? Everybody has a need for fat tissue in his or her body, but an excess of fat can result in obesity. It is different than being overweight, because one may be overweight from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water (What are overweight and obesity, n.d., ¶ 1), but obesity is from too much fat. Obesity occurs over time by eating more calories than the amount of calories burned––calories-in versus calories-out––and daily calorie requirements differ for each person. Therefore, for the most part, an inactive person does not need as many calories as an active person––balancing the number of calories consumed with number of calories the body uses. Additionally, factors that contribute to obesity include overeating, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active. As previously stated, requirements of calorie intake differ for each individual; but the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide provides a blanket recommendation (2000 calories) for all Americans. This does not take into consideration different metabolic rates, body types, or levels of activity. This nutritional pretense leads to irresponsible food choices by a lot of Americans because they do not know their daily requirement of calories. Why does the USDA even set a generic standard? Why not report that individual daily-recommended calorie intakes vary? It is a failure of the Government to correctly inform the people about accurate nutritional information. People make health decisions based on their environment or community. For example, low-income neighborhoods have the highest number of available fast food restaurants (Powell, Chaloupka & Bao, 2007, ¶ 2), so the convenience and affordability make it an easy choice. Much of the obesity epidemic is attributed to environmental factors, linked strongly to the development of the fast food industry, as well as the increase in portion sizes and the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of some Americans. Although fast food restaurants are a major element of the obesity plague, grocery stores and convenient stores make it easy to make poor health choices also, by placing racks of candy and soda near the checkout lanes. Since most retailers view the checkout lane as a “last chance” area––a place to sell impulse items––one would think they would put dried fruit and/or healthy nuts there instead of candy, and promote healthier choices. It is important to create a healthy environment since people often base their decisions on it. Instead, advertisements for prepackaged and fast foods saturate television, billboards, and the airwaves. Although briefly mentioned, the increase in serving sizes is a major factor in the growing rate of obesity. Over the past few decades, portion sizes have grown considerably, from burgers and milkshakes to pizza slices and cups of coffee. For example, portion sizes offered by fast food chains are two to five times larger than when first introduced: when McDonald’s first started in 1955 (Our history, 2010), its only hamburger weighed around one point six ounces; now, their largest patty weighs eight ounces, which is an increase of 500 percent. Large quantities of cheap food have not only made it easier and more affordable to make poor food choices, but have also distorted the perceptions of what a “normal” meal is supposed to look like. Innutritious, high-fat, high-sugar foods are widely available, taste good and cost less than healthy foods. Unfortunately, there is a laundry list of defects resulting from obesity: diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, reproductive hormonal abnormalities, Dyslipidemia, obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)––poor breathing which leads to lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide levels in the blood––depression, and other health problems (Obesity, n.d., ¶ 1), but in addition to these diseases and syndromes, they too can lead to other serious ailments. According to the Obesity in America organization, more than 80 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of the disease) are obese or overweight (Obesity, n.d., ¶ 1). Simply put, Type 2 diabetes develops when either the body does not produce enough insulin in the blood or cells ignore the insulin produced (Obesity, n.d., ¶ 2). Obesity diminishes insulin’s ability to control blood sugar, thus there is an increased risk of developing diabetes because the body begins to overproduce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels; and overtime the body can no longer keep blood sugar levels in the normal range (Obesity, n.d., ¶ 2). Eventually, Type 2 diabetes results from the inability to achieve healthy blood sugar balance; further, according to ObesityinAmerica.org, obesity complicates the management of Type 2 diabetes and makes drug treatment less effective because it increases the insulin resistance and glucose intolerance (¶ 3). Childhood obesity not only leads to increased risk of physical problems and adult obesity, but it could lead to a shorter life expectancy. A review by obesity researcher David Ludwig of Children’s Hospital Boston, epidemiologist S. Jay Olshansky of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and colleagues deduces that obesity reduces the average life expectancy by about four to nine months (Harvard, 2005, ¶ 1). In addition, if the current epidemic of child and adolescent obesity continues without any reduction in intensity or strength, “life expectancy could be shortened by two to five years in the coming decades” (Harvard, 2005, ¶ 1). Unfortunately, current trends indicate that the prevalence of obesity will continue to rise and affect younger age groups. “To tackle obesity, we will need unambiguous political leadership at all levels of government, to make clear that public health has to come before private profit,” says David Ludwig (Harvard, 2005, ¶ 6). Although estimates of the current costs of obesity-related problems may vary, “the costs associated with obesity-related heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other health problems are clearly increasing” (Too Fat, 2010, p. 4). For example, the American Public Health Association projects that “left unchecked, obesity will add nearly $344 billion to the nation’s annual health care costs by 2018 and account for more than 21 percent of health care spending” (United Health Foundation, 2010, p. 2). However, the most recent surveys by the CDC indicate that childhood and adult obesity rates may be leveling off (Too Fat, 2010, p. 4), but there is no indication whether this is a plateau before rates begin to increase again, or if it is the beginning of this epidemics reversal. Either way, “the current levels of obesity are much too high” (Too Fat, 2010, p. 4). If the best way to predict the future is to create it, then what kind of future is America creating with obese children? In the long run, a limited recruitment pool will hold back the United States’ military readiness, and weaken and destroy American’s national security. Although there are multiple reasons why an individual may be ineligible to serve in the military, one of the biggest problems is that too many young Americans are physically unfit (Ready, 2010, p. 1). According to Mission: Readiness, a nonprofit, bi-partisan organization led by senior retired military leaders ensuring continued American security and success into the 21st century, “27 percent of young Americans are too overweight to join the military” (Ready, 2010, p. 1). They report that recruiters turn many away, some never try to join, and of those who attempt to join, “roughly 15,000 young potential recruits fail their entrance physicals every year because they are too heavy” (Ready, 2010, p. 1). Unfortunately, weight problems for the military do not stop at those who are turned away; every year the military discharges over 1,200 first-term enlistees before their contracts are up because of weight problems (Too Fat, 2010, p. 4). At high costs, the military must then recruit and train their replacements, spending more than $60 million a year (Too Fat, 2010, p. 4). It is important to start early in order to successfully address obesity. The journal Health Affairs (2010), reports that “80 percent of children who were overweight at ages 10-15 were obese at age 25” (p.360). Furthermore, it is important what children are eating and drinking at school. For example, other Health Affairs’ researchers report that as much as 40 percent of a child’s daily caloric intake occurs at school (Larson & Story, 2010, p. 431). The aforementioned report focuses on three crucial issues: (1) reducing the high-calorie, low-nutrition foods available at schools, (2) increasing access to healthier school meals, and (3) helping schools take advantage of “teachable moments” to encourage children and their parents to adopt healthier eating habits (Larson & Story, 2010, p. 432). Although some schools are beginning to address this problem, there are still many where the school-offered meals and the food for sale are high in calories and low in nutrition. In a March edition of Health Affairs (2010), researchers from the University of Minnesota reported that: * “Nearly one in five elementary schools, one-third of middle schools, and half of all high schools have a school store, canteen, or snack bar where students can purchase food or beverages, * Vending machines are available in 21 percent of elementary schools, 62 percent of middle schools, and 86 percent of high schools. …[Just 20 percent of middle schools and nine percent of high schools have only healthy options––foods that are high in nutrients relative to caloric content––available for purchase, * Students can purchase à la carte food or beverages in two-thirds of elementary schools and roughly 80 percent of middle and high schools. …Schools providing access to à la carte food and beverages nearly always have unhealthy options” (Larson & Story, p. 434).
They concluded that “nearly half of the states have no nutritional standards for [unhealthy foods sold in the schools], and only one has adopted most of the [Institute of Medicine] recommendations” (Larson & Story, 2010, p. 435). Schools are not the only ones that need reformation; parents should also remember that their own habits could have a huge impact on their children. If parents are sedentary and are constantly snacking, it is likely that their child will do the same. What about organizations dedicated to ending size discrimination rather than improving their own quality of life? Organizations like the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), whose goal is to help build a society in which people of every size are accepted with dignity and equality. NAAFA claims “discrimination towards fat people in the workplace, education system, and healthcare system has been clearly documented and is growing rapidly. Weight discrimination was reported by seven percent of U.S. adults in 1995-96, and almost doubled to 12 percent by 2006” (National, 2010, ¶ 1). They go on to say that weight must be added to the list of categories covered in anti-discrimination laws, but what is this really saying, that Americans should accept the fact that fat people are costing us billions in healthcare and just treat them like their not the problem? Without a doubt, the last thing the United States needs to do is to embrace obesity. The annual medical burden of obesity is massive, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “medical expenses for obese employees are estimated to be 42 percent higher than for a person with a healthy weight” (¶ 1). Additionally, in a speech given by the first lady, Michelle Obama, to kick off the “Let’s Move” program to combat child obesity, she said, “Economic experts tell us that we’re spending outrageous amounts of money treating obesity-related conditions” (James, 2010, ¶ 28). Why, if obesity is such an economic burden, would Americans ever want to accept it? There was no word for obesity in the past because it did not exist. People a long time ago did not have refined, processed, fatty foods, instead they ate natural, nourishing food that helped them sustain life. At no time in history have humans eaten such refined, processed, and fatty foods, and there was never such an obesity epidemic either. To begin reversing the obesity epidemic, the United States needs to take the junk food out of schools, provide healthier meals, offer more physical exercise programs, and encourage healthier eating habits. If America does not help ensure that future generations grow up to be healthy and fit, then it will be increasingly difficult to protect the nation. Many obese people have learned to change their diet out of necessity––i.e. due to various life threatening diseases and complications––but if more people are not able to go against the strong current of an unhealthy society for the sake of national security, there may not be much of a nation worth securing.

References
CDC’s lean works! – A Workplace obesity prevention program. (February 9, 2010). Retrieved May 1, 2010, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://cdc.gov/leanworks/
Explosion of child obesity predicted to shorten U.S. life expectancy. (March 16, 2005). Harvard science: Medicine + health. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/medicine-health/articles/explosion-child-obesity-predicted-shorten-us-life-expectancy
Frieden, T. R., Dietz, W. & Collins, J. (2010). Reducing childhood obesity through policy change: Acting now to prevent obesity. Health affairs, 29(3), pp. 357-363.
James, F. (February 9, 2010). Michelle Obama escalates war on childhood obesity. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from NPR Web site: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/02/michelle_obama_making_childhoo.html
Larson, N. & Story, M. (2010). Are ‘competitive foods’ sold at school making our children fat? Health affairs 29(3), pp. 430-435.
Mission: Readiness. (2010). Ready, willing, and unable to serve: 75 Percent of young adults cannot join the military; Early education across America is needed to ensure national security. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from http://cdn.missionreadiness.org/MS-Early-Ed-Report-042010.pdf
Mission: Readiness. (2010). Too fat to fight: Retired military leaders want junk food out of America’s schools. Retrieved April 29, 2010, from http://cdn.missionreadiness.org/MR_Too_Fat_to_Fight-1.pdf
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). (2010). The Issues. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from http://www.naafaonline.com/ dev2/the_issues/index.html Obesity-related diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2010, from ObesityinAmerica.org Web site: http://www.obesityinamerica.org/understandingObesity/diseases.cfm Our history. (2010). Retrieved April 30, 2010, from McDonald’s® Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/our_history.html Powell, L.M., Chaloupka, F.J. & Bao, Y. (October 1, 2007). The Availability of fast food and full-service restaurants in the U.S.: Associations with neighborhood characteristics. American journal of preventive medicine (supplement), 33(4), pp. 240-245. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity /product.jsp?id=23370 United Health Foundation. (2010). America’s health rankings. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from http://unitedhealthfoundation.org/contact.html What are overweight and obesity? (n.d.). National heart lung and blood institute: Diseases and conditions index. Retrieved April 29, 2010, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/obe/obe_whatare.html

References: CDC’s lean works! – A Workplace obesity prevention program. (February 9, 2010). Retrieved May 1, 2010, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://cdc.gov/leanworks/ Explosion of child obesity predicted to shorten U.S Frieden, T. R., Dietz, W. & Collins, J. (2010). Reducing childhood obesity through policy change: Acting now to prevent obesity. Health affairs, 29(3), pp. 357-363. James, F. (February 9, 2010). Michelle Obama escalates war on childhood obesity. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from NPR Web site: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/02/michelle_obama_making_childhoo.html Larson, N National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). (2010). The Issues. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from http://www.naafaonline.com/ dev2/the_issues/index.html Obesity-related diseases Our history. (2010). Retrieved April 30, 2010, from McDonald’s® Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/our_history.html Powell, L.M., Chaloupka, F.J United Health Foundation. (2010). America’s health rankings. Retrieved May 1, 2010, from http://unitedhealthfoundation.org/contact.html What are overweight and obesity? (n.d.)