Is Obesity Really That Important?

Is Obesity Really That Important?

Will obesity actually affect us that much? Many may think that we should be focusing on more important topics than obesity. However, when you are not fit and able to move around easily, nothing can or will get done. Things need fixing, items need preparing, and work needs to be done. If we are fit and healthy, we have enough energy to get things done. We will not get tired too fast, and will be able to get through the day with plenty of energy to spare. More important problems won't be able to be completed and dealt with if we can't even get up in the morning.

In an article by CNN, it was said that obesity rates have been rising ever since the late 1980s. "The percentage of adults who are obese -- defined as having a Body Mass Index of 30 or more -- has doubled to 31 percent, or some 60 million people, over the past two decades, Ogden said." When you are obese, the chances of developing heart problems, diabetes, or strokes increase dramatically. In CNN's article, Mike Huckabee states, "We're now seeing pre-teens, kids who are 8- or 9-years-old, who are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes," he said. "If we continue with this trend, within another generation you'll be seeing kids dropping dead at their desks at the high school." Obesity is a main cause of major health problems. If we are sick, can we get things done? No.


Children are no longer playing outside as they used to. When you would drive through a neighborhood, you used to see children bouncing around a basketball, playing in the sprinkler, or jump-roping. Now, you can see the light from televisions coming through the windows, probably displaying a video game for the kids to play, or a movie to watch. Besides video games and televisions, there are cars and phones. Kids used to ride their bikes around the neighborhoods, from house to house. Now they hop on their electric scooters, or call instead of walking over to talk. These modern day electronics are making us lazy and keeping us entertained, stopping us from getting out and kicking a ball.


Works Cited:

Tanneeru, Manav. "Obesity: A Looming National Threat?" CNN. N.p., 29 Dec. 2006. Web.

Fast Food in America

Fast Food in America

Americans are becoming obsessed with fast food. Every person has most likely consumed fast food more than once in their lives. Most eat fast food everyday, for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. Fast food is a growing industry with more than 500,000 stores in the U.S. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Americans are spending more than $100 billon dollars on fast food every year. In an article by PAMF, it states, "When people all over the world are looking for a quick, easy meal to grab on the go, fast food is the common solution. With the efficient service, low prices and casual atmosphere, fast food seems like the ideal "all-American" choice. In fact, over 25 percent of Americans consume fast food every day." Fast food is becoming an obvious, quick food choice.

Most Americans realize that fast food is not the healthiest choice there is. People are becoming busier every day, going from work, to school, to extracurricular activities. With no time left to make and prepare food for the family, fast food is the easiest choice. You are already out and about, so why not drive through a fast food restaurant, adding only a couple of minutes to the everyday routine? Grab the food while you're out, and eat it on the go. The problem is, is that people are not realizing what is going into their food, and how many calories are in it/how bad it is for you. Besides the fact that the equipment and areas that your food is being prepared in is very unclean and not being maintained very often, but most of the ingredients going into your food is not natural, and have many preservatives. Bugs and inedible items can easily crawl into your food when it is not being supervised. The food in fast food chains could have been sitting for the whole day, drying out and collecting harmful items. Not much food that comes from fast food places are made to order, or on the spot. In an article by CBS News, it says, "Just about all the food in a fast food industry is processed, so much of the flavor is destroyed. So flavor has to be added. For example chicken McNuggets contain different additives including beef extract, the French fries contain animal products and they won't say which animal, and the buns and condiments also have artificial additives added to them." We need to realize what is going into the food we eat.

Fast food chains are one of the main reasons for obesity in America. Also stated in the CBS News article was, "About 300,000 people die each year from being obese or overweight, this is second only to smoking. Fast food isn't the only reason people are gaining weight, but it contributes to it."

Works Cited:

Ransohoff, Julia. "Fast Food." Palo Alto Medical Foundation. N.p., 25 Jan. 2005. Web.

"Americans Are Obsessed with Fast Food: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal."CBS News. N.p., 11 Feb. 2009. Web.

Global Perspective on Obesity

Global Perspective on Obesity

America is still in the lead when it comes to obesity rates. Two thirds of American adults are obese. Although it's not just adults. According to the Newsroom Panama, there are already more than 42 millon children under the age of 5 that are obese. Stated in The Economist, "Americans may be shocked by these numbers, but for the rest of the world they fit a stereotype. Hamburgers, sodas and sundaes are considered as American as the Stars and Stripes." Although Americans seem shocked to hear these numbers, are we really that surprised? Is the United States viewed as an obese country all around the world? 

From my personal experiences, America does have larger people than around the rest of the world. From a recent trip to Europe, I discovered that Europeans are very fit. They are constantly on the run, working out, or taking walks, jogs, or bike rides. Although they have the same transportation available to them, they understand the importance of healthy living. Not to say that America doesn't understand the benefits of being fit and healthy, but we need to really understand it better.

In an article by Global Issues, it has been said that, "For the first time in human history, the number of overweight people rivals the number of underweight people.… While the world’s underfed population has declined slightly since 1980 to 1.1 billion, the number of overweight people has surged to 1.1 billion." This is being said in proportion to all the world, not just the United States. Not only is America leading in obesity rates, but the CIA has stated that Samoa has an abundance of obesity. According to Brown University, "A new Brown University study finds that the Samoan epidemic of obesity may start with rapid weight gain in early infancy." After being born slightly on the larger side, by 15 months old, the children have gained enough weight to be classified as obese. Also included in the article was, "By 15 months of age 23.3 percent of boys and 16.7 percent of girls were obese (based on being heavier than the U.S. CDC’s 95th percentile). A further 16.1 percent of boys and 14.0 percent of girls were overweight." Obesity is a problem all over the world. What can we do to help? Encourage those you know to start taking trips to the gym, going on a bike ride, or even take a walk.


Works Cited:

"The Big Picture." The Economist. N.p., 15 Dec. 2012. Web.
Shah, Anup. "Obesity." Global Issues. N.p., 21 Nov. 2010. Web.
"WORLDVIEW: Battling Obesity - Join the Food Revolution." Newsroom Panama. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web.
"A Spotlight on World Obesity Rates." Central Intelligence Agency. N.p., 19 Nov. 2012. Web.
Orenstein, David. "Samoan Obesity Epidemic Starts at Birth." Brown University. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web.

The Truth Behind Obesity

The Odd One Out

The truth about obesity is that it is depressing. You feel as though every body, plus one, is pressuring you to get into shape. The weight of the world is on your shoulders and it just keeps getting heavier. From personal experience, I know how this feels. Although I wasn't obese, I struggled with my weight due to health issues. I enjoy telling my story to others, as it can help to inspire them and help them know things can, and will get better.

About two years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroid Disease. There are two types of Hasimotos, hypo and hyper. Hypo causes you to be run down and tired all the time and makes it hard to loose weight, while hyper causes you to be restless and antsy and makes it hard to put on weight. I personally have hypo. I gained a large amount of weight over a small period of time. As a teenager, this can be very depressing. You feel like the odd one out, and people start to look at you differently. Although I wasn't bullied or treated any differently, I can understand the feelings one can get from being the odd ball. Hashimotos never goes away, but I have managed to keep it under control with medication. I was able to work diligently by working out in the gym, swimming, and eating nutritious healthy food. Now, I enjoy taking regular trips to the gym. I feel proud after I finish a good workout, knowing that I am helping my body.

Obesity can affect anyone, when they are least expecting it. We need to help the youth of our country feel good about themselves. Let them know that they can change, and that things will get better. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation has great information on child obesity. In one of their articles it states, "Studies suggest that overweight children are more likely to be involved in bullying — both as victims and as perpetrators of teasing, name-calling and physical bullying — than normal weight children. .

" Obesity is not a easy topic. It can be hard to discuss the things we are facing, and that are troubling us. However, children are being bullied more in the school system and around town about being overweight. Obesity is a sensitive matter that needs to be taken care of.

Works Cited:

Lui, Calvin, and Nancy L. Brown. "Teen Obesity." Information on Obesity for Teens. N.p., July 2012. Web. 20 June 2013.

Obesity in America

Obesity in America

What does it mean to be obese? To be obese is to have an above average amount of body fat. Obesity however, is not the same thing as being overweight, meaning you weigh too much. Being overweight can be contributed to muscle, tissue, as well as fat, whereas being obese means having too much body fat. 

America is currently the country in lead when it comes to obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese. In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight." Many factors can contribute to obesity. Health problems, stress, or even family issues. The CDC stated, "Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death." Besides health conditions, obesity was found to be the main cause of more than 300,000 deaths per year. One of the main reasons society is becoming obese is because we are becoming lazier and lazier. As citizens of our country, we need to realize how obesity is affecting us as a nation.

Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled. Just like adults, approximately one third of children in America are obese. When becoming obese as child, it becomes normal. Being obese can only inhibit weight-loss as an adult. However, the younger you are, the longer you have to work it off and become healthy. Having a young body has it's advantages. Considering your body is still young and is not fighting health conditions that come upon you at a later time, obesity is easier to fight.

America has not been paying much attention to obesity being a huge problem. Yes, there are bigger problems that may effect all of the country, however, nothing is able to happen if we are all unhealthy and dealing with health problems. Being healthy gives you more energy, and overall makes you happier. We as a society need to start taking obesity as a threat, and work together to find a cure.



Works Cited:

"Adult Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Aug. 2012. Web. 20 June 2013.

Get to Know Me

My name is Paige Strickland and I am a Junior in high school. I was raised homeschooled and now have the chance to attend community college at the age of 15. My life mainly revolves around photography and dance. As a child, I would watch my father taking tons of picture of my brother and me, and now enjoy photography as much as he does. I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, and find that dance is the best way for me to escape all of my worries. Although those activities are very important to me, I am hoping to major in Business and become an event planner. Below are some of my favorite pictures I have taken.

Me

Savage Mill: Laurel, MD

My Father and Me

When I Lived in Alabama

Ferris Wheel

Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

Paris, France

Tulips from the Keukenhof Gardens

Lisse, Netherlands