The Obesity Epidemic

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Millions of Americans and people worldwide are overweight or obese. Obesity develops when “calories consumed exceeds calories expended” (“Obesity and Genetics”). “Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970’s,” and in the present day it is estimated that “two – thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese” (Ogden). Being overweight or obese highly increases the risk of deadly health problems, therefore this statistic states that the majority of the United States population is at risk of obtaining life–threatening diseases. Around forty years ago obesity would not effect this abundant number of people; however today’s society consumes more fast food in addition to spending most of their hours doing sedentary activities (Green). There are now many causes of obesity such as environment, genetics, bad habits, culture and economic level. Obesity has many negative impacts on the human body. It can very likely cause diabetes, joint pain, sleeping problems, depression, and many hazardous diseases (“Explore Overweight”). In contrast to this, there are some possible solutions to obesity such as physical activity, dieting, and surgery. Obesity is a widespread epidemic that unfavorably affects the body, but with exercise fused with dieting the disease could be kept to a minimum. Obesity has spiked precipitously in the past generations. In the 1960’s the average adult male weighed 168 pounds and now he weighs 185 pounds. In addition to this, the average adult female in 1960 weighed 143 and now she weighs 155 (Cutler). One reason why today’s society is continuing to gain weight over the generations is because today’s population “expends significantly less energy on a daily basis than their parents and... ... middle of paper ... ...l and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. . Ogden, C.L., M.D. Carroll, B.K. Kit, and K.M. Flegal. "Overweight and Obesity in the U.S." Food Research Action Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. . Serra-Majem, Lluis, and Inmaculada Bautista. "Etiology of Obesity: Two "Key Issues" and Other Emerging Factors." Nutrition Hospital 5 (2013): 32-43. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. . "United States Obesity (1990-2012)." America's Health Rankings. United Health Foundation, 24 May 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .

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